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{ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. } : 



Boys and Birds. 



x'laxe x. 




Baltimore Oriole. 
Green Tody. 
Purple Finch. 
Blue Jay. 
Vermilion Flycatcher. 



7. Louisiana Tanager. 

8. Lazuli Finch. 

\). Ri'd-winged Blackbird. 

10. American Goldfinch. 

11. White-winged Crossbill. 




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Boys and Birds; 



OR 



MISS TRUAT'S MISSION 



BY 

SIDNEY DYER, A.M., 

AUTHOR OF u GREAT WONDERS," "HOME AND ABROAD," 
"BLACK DIAMONDS," ETC. 




PHILADELPHIA : 
THE BIBLE AND PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 

530 ARCH STREET. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by 

THE BIBLE AND PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



u 



3>°>fc 



Westcott & Thomson, 
St&reotypers and Electrotype™, Phila. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

The Arab District 9 

CHAPTER II. 
Doctor Truat and his Daughter 20 

CHAPTER III. 
Preparing for the Conflict 31 

CHAPTER IV. 
Opening the School 42 

CHAPTER V. 
The Guardian of the Birds' Nests 59 

CHAPTER VI. 
BtiES about Eagles 71 

CHAPTEB VII. 
Repentance and Promises 89 

1* 5 



6 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTEE VIII. 

PAGE 

Vultukes, Hawks, and Owls 101 

CHAPTEE IX. 

Miss Yost Looking after the Witches 121 

CHAPTEE X. 
Woodpeckers and Cuckoos 134 

CHAPTEE XL 

Visit to Miss Truat and her Parrots 154 

CHAPTEE XII. 
Singing Birds. — Thrushes 177 

CHAPTEE XIII. 
Eobins, Bobolinks, Blackbirds, Orioles, and 

Larks 201 

CHAPTEE XIV. 
Blue-birds, Chickadees, Warblers, etc 221 

CHAPTEE XV. 
The Sunday-school. — Nuthatches and Spar- 
rows 241 

CHAPTEE XVI. 
Finches, Tanagers, Crossbills, etc 258 

CHAPTEE XVII. 
Swallows, Martins, Wrens, and Humming- 
birds 276 



CONTENTS. 7 

CHAPTEE XVIII. 

PAGE 

Crows, Birds of Paradise, Jays, Night-Hawks, 

etc 300 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Pigeons, Doves, Turkeys, Peacocks, etc 319 

CHAPTER XX. 
Domestic Fowls, Partridges, and Ostriches 339 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Herons, Storks, Plovers, Stilts, and Flamin- 
goes 353 

CHAPTER XXII. 
The Secret Out.— Swans, Geese, Ducks, Gulls, 

ETC 371 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
A Retrospect 402 



Boys and Birds. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE ARAB DISTRICT. 



SOME years ago a school division located on the 
banks of the Hudson River was known, from 
its turbulent character, as the "Arab District." 
The neighborhood was rocky and broken, and quite 
unfitted for any very profitable cultivation. Hence 
the greater part of the adult male population were 
engaged in navigating the noble river on which 
they lived. They were steamboat-men, barge-men, 
or employed in sailing the large fleet of sloops 
which once covered its waters, and still hold perti- 
nacious rivalry in the busy scenes where they were 
once the admiration and pride. The fathers being 
thus called so constantly from home, the family 
government fell mostly into the hands of the 
mothers, whose administration is often quite too 
indulgent for the good of their offspring; but in 

9 



10 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

this community, unfortunately, the maternal senti- 
ment had degenerated into a morbid and mistaken 
kindness. These mothers not only failed to re- 
strain their children themselves, but carried their 
sympathy to such an excess that they would allow 
no others to put an effective check on the gratifica- 
tion of their whims or any restraint upon their 
vices. Hence, like true Arabs, they roamed at will 
about the neighborhood, much better acquainted 
with the orchards and watermelon patches than 
with the spelling-book or any useful industry. 
This very naturally brought about a condition of 
things analogous to the well-known relationship of 
the Arabs to the" rest of mankind ; their hands were 
against every man, and every man's hand was 
against them. 

In the prosecution of the efficient school system 
of the Empire State this district had been early 
and properly organized, a suitable building pro- 
vided, and other appliances secured to enable the 
school to make at least ordinary progress ; but not- 
withstanding all these helps, the district had stood 
for years as a blot on the school records of the 
county. Indeed, its progress had been so rapid 
from bad to worse that for two or three years pre- 
vious to the commencement of our story no teacher 
had been found capable of retaining his connection 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 11 

with the school for a single entire term, and lite- 
rally no progress had been made in advancing the 
knowledge of the pupils. Those who began with 
the alphabet were still ignorant of its mysteries, 
and the multiplication table to most of them was 
a profound unknown. But during the w T inter in 
which the reader is introduced to the district all 
the evils with which it had been afflicted had cul- 
minated, no less than three male teachers having 
been driven from the school. The first, who had 
opened the fall term, entered upon his duties by 
" laying down the law " and making a grand dis- 
play of the means of enforcement. A heavy oaken 
ruler was placed conspicuously on his desk, and a 
full assortment of strong hickory rods adorned the 
huge shelf over his head. He had, indeed, been 
chosen by the school-committee more for his burly 
proportions and boasted physical ability to enforce 
discipline than for any intellectual or moral fitness 
for the position. When inducted into office, the 
committee especially enjoined upon him the neces- 
sity of governing the school as the great end of his 
commission, and gave him the strongest assurances 
of their moral support. The result showed that 
both he and the committee had miscalculated the 
forces with which they had to contend. On the 
first attempt to enforce his mandates by hickory 



12 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

arguments, he was pounced upon by the whole 
Arab tribe, big and little ; he was pommeled, 
scratched, bitten, and his hair pulled, until he was 
fain to beseech for mercy most lustily, coupled with 
a promise never to attempt to teach in that district 
again — a pledge he had no desire to disregard after 
his sore discomfiture. 

The next pedagogue engaged, having a wholesome 
regard for the safety of his own person, avoided the 
mistake of his predecessor, and made no display of 
his authority or attempts to enforce discipline, but 
thought to succeed by moral suasion. The aim was 
commendable, but fruitless, like many similar at- 
tempts in the history of the world, from the fact 
that he was applying his force at the wrong point : 
the Arab district did not possess a moral sense suf- 
ficiently acute to be thus wrought upon. For seve- 
ral weeks he reasoned, coaxed, persuaded, and ex- 
horted, but used no well-adapted measures to arouse 
the dormant sensibilities of his pupils and awaken 
their sleeping intellects, and then resigned his hope- 
less charge, and the young Arabs inscribed another 
victory on their banners. 

After quite an interval a third teacher was en- 
gaged, a somewhat conceited, foppish young man, 
yet possessed of more than ordinary ability for the 
teachers of that early day. He showed some ability 



BOYS AND BIKDS. 13 

to interest his pupils ; and as he joined with them in 
many of their sports, he really became more popular 
than any teacher had been for years, and the com- 
mittee began to flatter themselves that success had 
crowned their efforts. Being a young man, it was 
very natural for him to become somewhat attentive 
to his older female pupils, to one of whom he seemed 
more than usually devoted, often being her attend- 
ant home after school was dismissed, thereby bring- 
ing upon her the envy and sharp remarks of some 
of her schoolmates less successful in attracting spe- 
cial attention. 

On one unfortunate occasion his system of gov- 
ernment led to a catastrophe equally as disastrous 
as those which overthrew his predecessors. His 
methods of punishment had been to keep the delin- 
quents in during intermission or after dismission, 
and in other ways to deprive them of their usual grat- 
ification. Some general failure led him to make the 
application to the whole school, and to persist in its 
enforcement until after dark. The time was about 
the middle of March, just after a great rain and 
thaw, when the roads were in a fearful condition, 
being full of deep ruts and mud-holes; the night 
also was exceedingly dark and chilly. It showed a 
great lack of judgment; but the issue had been 
joined, and he deemed it necessary for his subse- 



14 BOYS AND BIEDS. 

quent control of the school to persist until his end 
was accomplished. When at last dismissed, both 
teacher and scholars saw that there was good cause 
of complaint, as many of the smaller pupils were 
put in much peril while attempting to reach their 
homes through the mud and darkness. The teacher 
began to apprehend that he might be called in ques- 
tion for the evening's disasters, which left him in no 
very agreeable mood. 

In some of his oldest boys, however, the event had 
aroused the old Adam again, and they were bent 
on retaliation. No sooner, therefore, was the school 
dismissed than they rushed out to put their plans 
into execution. Passing up the road which the 
master had to travel with his favorite female pupil, 
thsy selected one of the deepest mud-holes ; taking 
an old log from the roadside, they laid it directly 
across the road on the very brink of this puddle, and 
then hid themselves to watch the result. As the 
teacher had to remain and close up the schoolhouse 
after the scholars left, it gave them ample time to 
carry out their plan. In a short time they heard 
him approaching with his favorite pupil; uncon- 
scious of any danger, they were carefully picking 
their way along, engaged in conversation, when sud- 
denly there was a stumble, a scream, a splash, and 
then both were floundering in the mud-hole, into 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 15 

which they had fallen headforemost. Mouth and 
eyes, ears and nose, were filled with the unctuous 
mass; and, with clothes dripping, they finally crawled 
out of the hole, crestfallen and most pitiable to be- 
hold, their condition not at all improved by the 
shout of triumph which greeted their ears when the 
young Arabs sprang from their hiding-places and 
rushed away. 

The result of all this was that the district was 
again left without a teacher. 

The chief of this band of young Arabs was known 
in the neighborhood as Dave Overocker. He was 
about seventeen years of age, a man in size, an adept 
in mischief, and a mere child in knowledge. His 
father ran a small sloop on the Hudson, engaged in 
carrying paving-stones to the city of New York. 
The old man was entirely without education, and 
entertained the once quite prevalent opinion that 
book-learning was of very little value. His own 
idea of intellectual culture was very tersely ex- 
pressed by his saying, 

" It won't help put the stones inter the boat nor 
get the sail up when the wind blow T s. Old Dave 
Overocker has made his bread and butter without'n 
any of your book-lamin', and I guess young Dave 
will have to sail in the same boat." 

When at his work, the old man would attend to 



16 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

his duty faithfully, and keep on the side of sobriety; 
but whenever he paid a visit home, which was gene- 
rally about once a month, he as uniformly indulged 
in a long spell of gross intoxicatiou. During these 
fits he was cross and vicious, and especially vented 
his drunken wrath upon his son, whom he often 
drove from his house to find a lodging in a neigh- 
boring barn. Being thus cruelly dealt with by the 
father, there was a corresponding over-indulgence on 
the part of the mother, and between these influences 
the son was eminently fitted for his evil promotion. 

Dave had naturally some good parts. His skill- 
ful leadership in mischief showed that he had abil- 
ity susceptible of large development, and his really 
careful attention to his mother's wants evinced that 
he possessed a heart not wholly wanting in tender- 
ness. Though she exacted nothing of him, yet he 
generally kept her wood-box full and brought most 
of her water from a neighboring spring. Besides 
this, he had been known to do many kind acts, which 
led the neighbors to remark that Dave had a kind 
heart, notwithstanding all his badness. In gunning, 
fishing, and smoking out woodchucks Dave was an 
adept, and gave most of his time to one of these 
vocations. 

Stote Olivers was the constant associate and coun- 
selor of Dave. Of nearly the same age, he was less 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 17 

in size; and though really possessed of superior men- 
tal endowments, he lacked the boldness and skill of 
his compeer, and readily deferred to him in all their 
plans of wickedness. His mother was a widow with 
three other children, whom she had to support on a 
small pension as the widow of a soldier of the war 
of 1812, eked out by such small sums as she could 
earn by house- cleaning and other employments. 
Stote's organization was of a finer mould than that 
of his leader, and his mind had received a much 
larger development, so that he was often reluctant 
to enter into some of the bolder enterprises of mis- 
chief from a quickening of his conscience as to the 
results. When finally involved in guilt, he was 
oftener found in a truly penitent mood, and strug- 
gled harder to break from his evil surroundings. 

Jake Van Gilder completed the trio of leaders 
in the Arab district. This lad was much younger 
than either of his associates in evil. He was warm- 
hearted, generous, and excessively impulsive. He 
was given to evil habits mostly because circum- 
stances forced him into such associations, whose per- 
nicious influences he had not sufficient firmness to 
resist. His father was a pilot on a steamboat, and 
was very seldom at home, except for the short sea- 
son in which the Hudson was closed with ice during 
the winter. 

2 * B 



18 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

The three victories obtained during the winter 
under the leadership of these lads had given them 
quite a reputation among their schoolfellows, of 
which they were not a little vain, and they resolved 
to " fight it out on that line." In accordance with 
this determination, a few days after the victory of 
the mud-puddle a grand convocation of all the lads 
of the district was called to meet on the hill back 
of the town schoolhouse, to hold a free consultation 
as to future plans. At the head of this senate of 
young Arabs sat Dave Overocker, 

" By merit raised 
To that bad eminence." 

After many gratulations over the victories of the 
past and rousing orations from the president and his 
first lieutenant, Stote, it was unanimously resolved 
that no school-teacher should ever again be allowed 
to hold the sceptre of dominion over the free and 
independent youths of the district. Books were 
voted humbugs, and the inalienable rights of all 
lads declared to be to hunt, smoke out woodchucks, 
hook apples, and play ball indefinitely ; and, finally, 
the three glorified chieftains were invested with un- 
limited authority to call into the field, armed and 
equipped, all the forces of the confederation when- 
ever any future attempts should be made by the 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 19 

school-committee to introduce another pedagogue 
into their dominions. 

So much was the patriotic enthusiasm of the juve- 
nile convocation fired by the circumstances, and the 
eloquence of their leaders describing the wrongs 
which they had suffered under the grim knights of 
the ferule, that, as they went down from the hill, 
sundry mullein stalks and thistles were ruthlessly cut 
down, and many an unfortunate tree and post that 
stood in the way carried the marks of their wrath 
until its latest day in deep dents and scars. Nor 
did this suffice, for two or three astonished flocks of 
geese were sent scattered and squalling before their 
fierce onslaught. Indeed, it required the soothing 
and quieting influences of a whole night's sleep be- 
fore the roused and hot blood of the young patriots 
had cooled sufficiently to flow calmly again through 
its old channels. 



CHAPTER II. 

DOCTOR TRUAT AND HIS DAUGHTER, 

A BOUT a year before the commencement of our 
-*--*- narrative, Doctor Truat, an enthusiastic natu- 
ralist, had settled on the banks of the Hudson about 
three quarters of a mile from the Arab district 
schoolhouse. The doctor, who was now a widower, 
was a man of great taste and culture ; and after a 
very successful professional life in the city, he had 
retired from active duties for the purposes of travel 
and a more careful culture and research in his favor- 
ite science of ornithology. His attention and inter- 
est in this department of natural science had been 
quickened into a passion by an intimate acquaint- 
ance with Audubon, whose home was on the same 
noble river, though much nearer the great city. 
Doctor Truat was often a welcome guest at the 
home of the great naturalist, and the two savans 
had many a pleasant ramble through the woods and 
along the streams, pursuing their feathered friends. 
To both of them a rare bird was a greater prize than 
the discovery of a gold-mine. 

20 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 21 

Miss Eveline Truat, the doctor's only daughter, 
who presided over his house, was equally gifted with 
her father, and had been for years his constant com- 
panion in all his travels and researches, being, if 
possible, even more enthusiastic in her love of birds. 
To study their habits, admire their beauty, and drink 
in the rich melody of their song had charms for her 
from which no glittering allurements of fashionable 
life could withdraw her. She was skilled with the 
pencil and brush, and could place her pets on can- 
vas with so much skill as to call forth the warm 
commendations of the great bird artist himself. 
Nor was she less an adept as a taxidermist, as the 
rich collection of well-preserved birds in her father's 
cabinet abundantly showed. 

Before settling on the Hudson, Doctor Truat and 
his daughter had made an extensive tour of nearly 
three years through the Old World. They not only 
went over the usual routes of the Rhine and the 
Kile, Paris, Rome, and Jerusalem, but visited Cey- 
lon, China, and other parts of Asia, and returned by 
way of the Pacific Islands and South America. In 
all these countries the rich treasures of bird-life re- 
ceived special attention, adding many rare speci- 
mens to the doctor's cabinet and his daughter's port- 
folio. As to the birds of their native laud, they 
knew them well, for they had visited nearly every 



22 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

section, east and west, north and south, as well as 
being very familiar with the researches of Audubon, 
Wilson, and others. To gather together the rich 
results of all these years of accumulation had been 
one of Doctor Truat's objects in making a new 
home, in which he had prepared a large room and 
arranged his specimens until he had a museum of 
natural history that would have done credit to any 
public institution. 

In settling down in their new home the greatest 
objection to overcome was the moral question as to 
the future employment of their time, for both the 
doctor and his daughter were under the influence of 
too high Christian principles to allow of a life of 
aimless indolence. But not being able definitely to 
settle this question before a permanent location was 
made, they had left Providence to indicate the path 
of duty, not, however, by inertly waiting for some- 
thing to turn up, but by keeping a careful watch for 
openings of usefulness which might come under their 
observation. 

No sooner had Doctor Truat become domesticated 
in the neighborhood than he began to make careful 
inquiries into its social and moral condition, which 
he soon found to be quite unsatisfactory — a fact 
which the reader will infer from the information that 
has already been given. Besides the disorganized 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 23 

and turbulent condition of the school district, he 
learned that the nearest house of worship was about 
four miles off, and that no Sunday-school had ever 
been instituted in the neighborhood. 

These unfavorable conditions of the comm unity- 
had often engaged the serious thoughts of both 
father and daughter, and had led to many earnest 
conversations as to plans of reformation. Being a 
new-comer in the district, and having no official con- 
nection with it, the doctor was reluctant to propose 
hastily such measures as would give hopes of a 
change for the better. 

This was the shape in which matters stood at the 
time of the last disturbance mentioned in the pre- 
ceding chapter. The influence of this event had 
quite exhausted the small stock of zeal possessed 
by the committee, and they had about reached the 
conclusion to make no further attempts to reopen 
the school, at least for that year. This result was 
hailed by the young rebels as a full confession of 
their power, and they were correspondingly exultant 
and determined. They could now enjoy to their 
fullest bent, like their prototypes of the desert, their 
wandering propensities, unrestrained by the ghost of 
the three " R's," which, according to the views of 
many at that early period, were regarded as compris- 
ing all that was necessary to a finished education. 



24 BOYS AND BIEDS. 

Using the defective orthography which would nat- 
urally result from such training, " what use had 
man," was the argument, "for more learning than 
reading, 'riting, and to know 'rithmetic to the rule of 
three?" 

At this critical juncture, when the district was 
near settling hopelessly on the side of ignorance and 
vice, Doctor Truat chanced to meet one of the school 
committee, who also exercised the functions of a jus- 
tice of the peace, and made some inquiries respect- 
ing the future prospects of education in the neigh- 
borhood. 

" Well, doctor," was the squire's reply, " we have 
about concluded to give up the trial in our district. 
We have made many efforts for several years, and 
our money has been quite thrown away. Our chil- 
dren have learned nothing but mischief, and our 
school only seems to serve the purpose of getting 
them together where they can more effectually con- 
coct their plans to do evil. Why, this past w T inter 
they have driven three teachers from the district, 
and we think it quite useless to try another until 
some of our bad boys are got rid of in some way." 

" Yes, I have learned some of these facts," replied 
the doctor ; " yet I think we ought not to give up 
the case as hopeless. Children are managed in 
other places, and I do not think that those in our 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 25 

district have such an extra amount of depravity as 
to place them quite beyond the" hope of improve- 
ment. There must have been some want of skill or 
tact in the teachers employed, and a better selection 
may secure more promising results." 

" That might be so," said the squire, " if we could 
only find such teachers ; but the school has such a 
bad reputation no one has been found willing to re- 
open it on any terms. It is truly a bad state of 
things, but I don't see how we are to remedy the 
matter." 

" Would you think it meddlesome in me," asked 
the doctor, "if I should try and hunt you up a 
teacher who would be willing to take the venture?" 

u Oh no, quite otherwise ; it would be a favor 
gratefully received," was the reply. 

" Then I will see if something cannot be done," 
said the doctor. " AVe have responsibilities which 
we cannot throw off, and which it is criminal to 
neglect. You shall soon hear from me again." 

"Thank you, doctor," said the justice; "I'm sure, 
if you can aid us successfully in our difficulties, 
you will have the gratitude of the whole neighbor- 
hood." 

After returning home from this interview, the 
doctor rehearsed to his daughter the conversation 
held with the school official, and expressed his deter- 
?> 



26 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

mination to secure a proper teacher and make an 
effort to reopen and reorganize the district school, 
believing that success might be achieved. 

" I think," said he, " I understand where most of 
the difficulty lies. The majority of the children in 
the district, I find, are deprived of any well-ordered 
family government, as the fathers are mostly absent 
from home and the mothers far too indulgent. 
Then in conducting the school the teachers have 
either been incompetent or have fallen into the too 
common fault of merely enforcing the acquisition of 
the technicalities of knowledge, without bringing the 
scholar to realize any of its pleasures. And what is 
still worse — a fault almost universal with the teach- 
ers of our day — they have treated their pupils as 
though they were as heartless as the benches on 
which they were seated. They have been made to 
fear the rod, but never to love the teacher or the 
knowledge which he was employed to communicate. 
Now, if we can find a teacher who has some heart 
and a knack of making others feel something of its 
warmth, our district can be made to compare favor- 
ably with others in the state. To save so large a 
number of children from growing up in ignorance 
and acquiring the vices which are its sure attend- 
ants is surely a mission worthy of the most devoted 
Christian benevolence, though it may not have the 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 27 

romance of a foreign field to induce one to under- 
take it" 

While the doctor was thus giving utterance to his 
thoughts, his daughter had listened with earnest at- 
tention ; and as she had been seeking divine guid- 
ance to open up to her some path of usefulness, it 
seemed plain to her that this providence was a call 
to duty ; so, after a few minutes" prayerful reflection, 
she said : 

M Father, why may not I undertake this much 
needed work ? True, I have no experience as a pro- 
fessional teacher, but I have some little ability, and, 
I trust, tact to use it ; and I am sure that my heart 
is deeply touched with the neglect and needs of the 
poor children whom I have met since we moved into 
the neighborhood. With the blessing of Heaven, I 
think I could succeed in a reasonable degree at 
least." 

This proposition was so unexpected to the father 
that for some moments he stood quite perplexed 
and unprepared with an answer. The pleasure of 
his daughter's constant presence was the great charm 
of his life; besides, he shrunk from the burden and 
anxiety which it would necessarily impose upon her. 
But after reflection he saw that it was but a poor 
exhibition of Christian benevolence to ask some one 
else to make the sacrifice, while he should stand 



28 BOYS AND BIEDS. 

aloof and rejoice in the attendant blessing ; and so 
he ended the hesitation by repeating in part his 
daughter's question : 

" Why not undertake the accomplishment of the 
much needed work ? Truly, my daughter, I cannot 
urge any tangible reason if you feel your heart 
drawn out to assume the responsibility. My only 
objections will be personal ones. I shall sadly miss 
your constant assistance and sympathy in my studies, 
and it will, I fear, impose upon you a heavy burden 
of care and labor, too severe for your physical ener- 
gies. But if, in view of all the circumstances, you 
feel your heart so deeply interested in the welfare 
of the neglected children of the district as to impel 
you to make the venture, I shall not stand in the 
way of your purpose." 

"Then, father," replied Eveline, "you may in- 
form the committee that I will undertake the school 
on the positive condition that I am to be permitted 
to carry it on in my own way for at least three 
months, when I will be prepared to surrender my 
charge if I do not succeed in meeting just expec- 
tations." 

"Very well, my daughter," said the doctor; "I 
will inform the officials of your purpose, and I have 
no doubt that they will think favorably of your pro- 
posal, as they can lose nothing by the experiment, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 29 

and may be, as we hope, largely the gainers. They 
will understand that you enter upon the undertaking 
with no mercenary motives ; and therefore the only 
inference can be that you are seeking the good of 
your pupils." 

" In which conclusion, father, they will certainly 
judge correctly ; for, thanks to your liberality, my 
wants are so abundantly supplied that I have no 
need of any addition to my income, even after en- 
joying the luxury of doing some good — a pleasure 
which I am sure will be all the sweeter when I can 
appropriate means which I have earned by my own 
efforts. Whatever compensation may be allowed I 
shall use in such a way as will aid in making my 
efforts a success by providing means of instruction 
and innocent gratification, which, I think, will be a 
new experience to my scholars." 

"May God bless your work, and crown your mis- 
sion with most abundant success," was the earnest 
response of the father. 

Doctor Truat immediately sought out the committee, 
and laid before them the proposition of his daughter, 
at which they were greatly surprised. Their only 
hesitation to accept the offered service was from a 
fear that a woman could not possibly govern such an 
unruly set of youths. 

" Why," said one of them, " Dave Overocker can 
3 • 



30 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

hold your daughter out at arm's length, and hardly 
have to make an effort." 

" That may be true," replied the doctor ; " but my 
daughter does not expect to try her physical strength 
with any of her pupils, but hopes to inspire them 
with so much confidence in her love and esteem for 
them that they will take pleasure in doing what she 
requires of them." 

With this understanding, her terms were accepted, 
and she was commissioned with authority to open the 
school once more; and immediately the usual no- 
tices were posted on the schoolhouse door and at 
the several road- crossings, giving notice of the fact 
and of the day of commencement. 

No sooner was this done than there was a mighty 
commotion in the young Arab confederation. It 
was regarded as an open declaration of war, made 
the more galling from the fact that they who had 
conquered three men in one winter were now threat- 
ened with the rule of a woman. Then there was a 
speedy recon vocation of the grand senate of urchins 
on the appointed hill, that in grave debate they 
might take adequate measures to meet the common 
enemy. The rallying cry was, "Down with the new 
teacher !" 

The result of the conflict thus threatened will be 
the theme of the subsequent pages of this volume. 



CHAPTER III. 

PREPARING FOR THE CONFLICT. 

WHEX Miss Truat had decided to attempt the 
reformation of the rebellious district, it be- 
came a matter of some importance to learn just what 
the trouble was, and she set herself diligently to find 
out. In pursuance of this object, she visited various 
sections of the neighborhood, conversed with the 
families, and carefully searched after the hidden 
causes of all the mischief. She easily traced the 
leadership to the lads already mentioned, but, from 
all the facts brought to light, felt convinced that 
they were not sinners above all the boys in the state. 
With proper management, she did not regard their 
case as at all hopeless. They had hearts and minds, 
but no efforts had been properly made to reach 
either. They knew enough of coercion, which heart 
and mind naturally resist, but nothing of the 
Btrooger allurements of sympathetic tenderness and 
minds quickened with the love of knowledge. The 
uniform administration of the school had been the 
law of might, with the attendant insignia of ruler 

31 



32 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

and hickory rods. The method of teaching was the 
old and absurd one of mere appeals to the memory. 
Each individual child, when learning the alphabet, 
was called up in turn, and the master with a pointer 
would direct the eye of the child to some one letter 
and ask, " What letter is that ?" If not known to 
the pupil, he would give the name, and thus the 
process would go on through the whole series ; then 
the child would be sent back to its hard bench and 
told to do an impossibility — keep still w T hile a dozen 
or more went through the same process. 

In the same manner the multiplication table was 
attempted, and thus nearly every other study was 
pursued in the school. A few, more especially 
among the larger girls, made some progress in spite 
of this stupid system, but most generally, when the 
term closed legitimately, which was rarely the case, 
the pupils were about where they had commenced. 
The plan had never been attempted of repeating the 
lessons in concert, which necessarily relieves the reci- 
tation of much of its dullness and begets some enthu- 
siasm ; nor had it ever entered into the scope of the 
teacher's methods to invest the lesson with some at- 
tractions by story, pictured illustration, or apt inci- 
dent, that would show the pleasures and value of 
the study they w r ere attempting. Such things as ob- 
ject-teaching, blackboard, globes, and maps were 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 33 

wholly unknown in the school. Indeed, it seemed 
as though the eye had been quite overlooked in the 
processes of education in the district, except as it 
served to distinguish the forms of letters and figures, 
and their combinations. It seemingly had never 
occurred to the teachers employed that the thing 
itself would ever have more attractions to the chil- 
dren under their care than the language in which it 
was described, however well chosen that might be. 
In childhood the eye is the first sense that receives a 
sharp quickening, and ever after it is " never satis- 
fied with seeing." That teacher is but poorly qual- 
ified for his office who does not make the best 
possible use of the pupil's eye in his educational 
system. 

With these facts fully before her, Miss Truat 
formed her plans. A large blackboard was pro- 
cured, a small globe from her father's study, some 
dissected maps, and other important requisites. 
And further, being convinced that whatever inter- 
ested her most she could make most attractive to 
others, she resolved to avail herself of her know- 
ledge of birds, the ability she possessed to portray 
them on canvas and preserve their lifelike forms, 
and thus appeal to the eyes of her pupils to aid in 
awakening their intellects, and at the same time se- 
cure their confidence and affection — a happy thought, 

C 



34 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

as the subsequent pages of this volume will aim to 
show. 

The young Arabs were not idle all this while, and 
several grave consultations were held, especially 
among the leaders, as to the best plans for carrying 
on the coming contest. But not knowing just the 
modes which the new teacher might adopt, they 
could settle upon nothing definitely, except that she 
was to be driven out like her predecessors, leaving 
the manner of the attack to the decision of their 
leader. Thus empowered, Dave felt the responsibil- 
ity resting upon him, and resolved to act with a 
promptness worthy of the occasion, and thereby add 
new glory to the laurels already obtained. 

While these mutual preparations were in progress, 
the momentous day arrived which was to test their 
wisdom. 

Doctor Truat had secured a proper renovation of 
the schoolhouse. It was thoroughly cleansed, win- 
dows mended, broken seats and writing-desks re- 
paired, all of which was much needed to remove the 
reminiscences of the past winter's battles. 

Miss Truat had received some intimations of the 
intended assault, and felt the importance of thwart- 
ing the intention until she could have time to gain 
the confidence of the school ; hence she resolved to 
give no occasion for an outbreak. She determined 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 35 

to exact nothing of her scholars, but would strive to 
lead them, thus avoiding a collision of authority, 
remembering the old adage that it " takes two to 
make a quarrel/' 

In pursuance of her purpose, she was early at the 
schoolhouse with her requisites. A large blackboard 
stood in the hall ready for setting up, a fine globe 
occupied her table, with several dissected maps, while 
several well-mounted ones hung upon the walls. 
Besides these things, properly belonging to the pur- 
poses of education, she had placed on a large shelf 
back of her desk a small glass case containing some 
dozen of her smallest and most beautiful birds. It 
was, indeed, the gem of her father's collection — red, 
azure, and golden in plumage, and of forms the 
most graceful. The birds were perched and pend- 
ent on mossy limbs, some with needle-like bills dip- 
ping into the opening flowers or intertwining the 
threads of lint and hair into tiny nets, while others 
were placed on the rim of one already completed, in 
which reposed one or more little mottled eggs. All 
these had been so nicely arranged as to assume 
an appearance as life-like as it is possible to give 
to tilings fixed and motionless. Charming as it 
did even the most cultivated tastes, she felt sure it 
would have power to attract and hold the gaze of 
the young untutored subjects she should have to 



36 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

deal with, to whom it would be a thing undreamed 
of. With this collection she had also brought a 
small portfolio of some of the larger birds, beauti- 
fully drawn in w r ater colors — specimens of art of 
which no artist need have been ashamed. 

With these helps and a determination to use all 
her abilities to the best possible advantage, and to 
exercise patience to its utmost limit, she awaited the 
gathering of the children, trembling but hopeful. 

With no zeal for punctuality, but only intent to 
spy out the situation, Dave Overocker was the first 
one at the school on the morning of the opening. As 
he approached the door he saw standing in the hall 
a small and pleasant-faced person, whom he at first 
thought to be one of the larger female pupils, but 
was undeceived as the teacher turned to him and 
with a cordial greeting said : 

" Oh, good- morning, sir ! I am so glad you have 
come before the smaller children, for I have been 
trying to get my blackboard in place, and find I am 
not quite strong enough, and shall be much obliged 
to you for a little help." 

The leader of the young Arabs looked at the lit- 
tle woman for a moment as though meditating a 
gruff refusal, but was met by such a pleasant, kindly 
look that he instinctively took hold of one side of 
the board and helped to carry it into the school- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 37 

room and adjust it in a proper position. When this 
was done, Miss Truat said, with great kindness of 
manner, having some idea of the person whom she 
was addressing: 

"Thank you; that is very nicely done; and as 
you will likely be one of my largest scholars, I may 
often have to ask your assistance, and hope we shall 
have a nice time together. Your name is David, I 
believ 

4k Yes, Dave Overocker is what they call me," was 
the somewhat rude reply of the lad as with a look 
of surprise he caught a sight of the globe and case of 
birds — objects entirely unknown to him, and full of 
wonder. Observing that his attention was strongly 
arrested, Miss Truat thought it a good opportunity 
to make a favorable impression ; she therefore said, 
as she saw him intently gazing at the globe : 

"Come here, David, and let me show you what 
this thing is for. This ball represents the earth, and 
shows its motions, by which the recurrence of day and 
night is produced, and summer and winter follow each 
other. It also shows us the location and shape of all 
the countries on the earth. Here is North America ; 
and this little circle represents the city of New York ; 
and here is the Hudson River ; and about here is 
where we live." 

The boy's eye followed the directing finger of the 
i 



38 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

teacher, and the glow of his countenance showed that 
his mind had caught the great fact which the globe 
was designed to illustrate ; and there he stood, with 
his eyes and mouth open, interested in spite of him- 
self. Miss Truat skillfully pushed her advantage by 
calling his attention to the beautiful case of birds, 
naming the various specimens, and asking David to 
designate such of them as he had seen in the woods, 
among which he was quick to notice the blue jay, 
red-winged blackbird, and the yellow bird. To be 
asked to tell what he knew was so unusual that he 
became quite voluble and confidential, and even gave 
some really new and interesting facts to Miss Truat 
in regard to the habits of the blue jay, showing that 
the boy had a quickness of observation for which he 
had never been credited. When the case of birds 
had been looked over, Miss Truat opened her port- 
folio and showed the paintings it contained, giving the 
names of the birds represented, and where they were 
found, with some interesting facts concerning their 
habits. While thus engaged, David forgot all about his 
purpose to plan for the expulsion of the new teacher; 
and just at this happy juncture Miss Truat made 
another fortunate advance by which her chief enemy 
was nearly overcome before the battle was really 
joined. In turning over her drawings she happened 
to open to a large horned owl that seemed particu- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 39 

larly to arrest the boy's attention, which the teacher 
perceiving, she said : 

" By the bye, David, as I came to school this morn- 
ing, I saw a large snowy owl in the grove up the 
road which I should like very much to have ; and 
if you can get it for me, I shall be so much obliged 
to you, and will pay you well for it too. Besides, 
I will show you how to prepare it like one of the 
birds in the case, and we will have it here in the 
schoolroom to look at, and we can learn all about 
its habits." 

This appeal was addressed to one of Dave's weak 
points. He was accustomed to be called a booby in 
school, but no one doubted his ability to shoot and 
to snare birds and rabbits ; these were his brag accom- 
plishments, and here w T as the new teacher calling 
upon him to exercise his gifts. It was a new mode of 
teaching, he thought, but a most agreeable one to 
him ; and so, with a hearty promptness, he replied : 

"I'll get him for you, Miss Truat, if he don't fly 
away before school is out." 

"Oh, I shall be so delighted, David, and we will 
have a nice time fixing him up as natural as life. 
Please keep his beautiful feathers as free from blood 
as possible." 

Just then the conversation was interrupted, very 
much to the regret of both, by the arrival of young 



40 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

Chivers, who was not a little astonished to see his 
leader and the new teacher engaged in such confi- 
dential intercourse, and with such unusual surround- 
ings. This intrusion seemed to arouse Dave from 
his forgetfulness of his position, causing a flush to 
pass over his face as he thought of the part he was 
expected to act, and a dawning sense of his inability 
to meet the expectations of his comrades. He had 
been treated with a kindness and confidence to which 
he was an entire stranger, begetting a sense of plea- 
sure which led him to yearn for further gratification. 
And then he had made a promise to the teacher 
which he knew not how to evade without acting a 
part so dishonorable that even he shrank from it 
with repugnance. 

In this condition he was in a great quandary 
whether to disregard his pledge and rudely assail 
the teacher who had treated him so kindly, and thus 
maintain his ascendency among his companions, or, 
yielding to the awakening impulses of a better life, 
cultivate the intercourse which had so unexpectedly 
and unintentionally on his part begun between him 
and Miss Truat. Not being able to make a full de- 
cision then, he resolved to evade the issue, and leave 
the solution to future developments. Hence he kept 
his promise to get the owl for Miss Truat to himself, 
resolving to take it to the doctor's house and there 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 41 

make a delivery of his prize if so fortunate as to se- 
cure the bird. In the mean time, he could frame some 
excuse for delaying action until he could have full 
time for consideration. 

While these thoughts had been passing through 
the mind of the young leader, the children had 
dropped in one after another, until, at the opening 
hour, the district was well represented by its juvenile 
population, each in turn wondering at the strange 
objects which met the sight. 

The time for Miss Truat's trial had come ; and 
when she tinkled her little bell to call the school to 
order, it seemed to her as though the beating of her 
heart was louder than the tones of its clapper. With 
a most fervent invocation for divine assistance, she 
began her mission of love, the success of which will 
be seen in the subsequent pages. 

4 • 



CHAPTEK IV. 

OPENING THE SCHOOL. 

WHEN the children had taken their seats and 
become somewhat quieted, Miss Truat began 
her work by saying : 

" Dear children, we have come here to be very 
happy, and I am to strive to lead you into the paths 
of knowledge, which will be to me a most delightful 
task if you will only try as earnestly to learn as I 
shall to teach you. We are not to have any rulers 
or hickory rods — they are not suggestive of pleasant 
relations or thoughts — but we are going to love each 
other very much, and love knowledge and that which 
is good, and then we shall all be very happy. That 
we may know how to find the right way God has given 
us a guide-book, and now let us consult it and see 
what directions it will give us. Here are some very 
plain instructions in the third chapter of Proverbs : 

" ' Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the 
man that getteth understanding: for the merchan- 
dise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, 
and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more 
42 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 43 

precious than rubies, and all things thou canst de- 
sire are not to be compared unto her. Length of 
days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches 
and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and 
all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them 
that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that 
retaineth her. The Lord by wisdom hath founded 
the earth, and by understanding hath he established 
the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are 
broken up, and the clouds drop down dew. 

Ui My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: 
keep sound wisdom and discretion ; so shall they be 
life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then 
shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall 
not stumble. When thou liest down thou shalt not 
be afraid : yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep 
shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither 
of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh. 
For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep 
thy foot from being taken/ 

"This is God's true word, children, and it tells us 
what wisdom is worth and how much pleasure it will 
bring, and we are here to learn how to find its rich 
treasures. The world is full of beautiful things, but 
we may never know anything about them, nor taste of 
the pleasures which they will afford, unless we search 
them out; and this is the purpose of schools. Here 



44 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

are the letters of the alphabet. You can all see 
them plainly enough, but perhaps some of you can- 
not tell one from another, and to such they are only 
so many black marks of different shapes. But when 
we have learned their names and sounds, we can then 
put them together and form words, which are the 
names of things or acts, and by use of these we can 
tell others about the objects which we have found 
out, or read what they have investigated. This is 
the way in which books are made and letters are 
written and knowledge is handed down from one 
generation to another. Now, we may learn all the 
words in the spelling-books and dictionaries, and yet 
know little or nothing about the things in the world ; 
it is necessary therefore to take the object to which 
we give a name and search into its composition and 
purposes, and then we begin to enjoy the pleasures 
and profits of wisdom, and to learn how much we 
owe to our gracious heavenly Father, who has made 
everything so very good. 

" What a marvelous number of things we have to 
talk about! — the trees and the flowers, the rocks 
and the pebbles, the rivers and the brooks, the lakes 
and the oceans, the animals and the fishes. Wher- 
ever we turn, God has made something beautiful or 
useful for us to study out and enjoy, that our hearts 
may be led in adoring gratitude to him. We shall 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



45 



learn something about all these things in our books, 
and to make them plainer I will draw many of them 
on this blackboard, and describe them as well as I 
can, so that while you are acquiring the name you 
will also learn something of the object to which it is 
applied. It is rather dry work to simply learn how 









»__. 








W^Jil 


r§=i 


S^P 


^ 


f= 








n 








1 " 










f 






' [ ^H 




»BI^ 






H ^^v 


l->^ 


w 



Fia. 1. — Boy and Dove. 

to spell a name, but there is always a pleasure in 
searching out the wonders of nature, and this is 
what we are going to try in our school, and I hope 
before we get through with our studies we shall have 
many very happy hours together and acquire much 
useful knowledge. 



46 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

"I will now draw a picture on the blackboard." 

Miss Truat turned to the board, and in a few min- 
utes had traced on it the figure of a boy caressing a 
dove (Fig. 1) — a proceeding which greatly interested 
the children, as they had never witnessed anything 
like it. When she had completed her picture, she 
turned to the school and asked : 

" What do you call this?" 

"A boy and a bird," was the prompt reply from 
several of the scholars. 

"Yes, that is correct, children — a boy and a bird. 
Now, we know what they are because we see them ; 
but you may want to tell some of your friends what 
you have seen ; and as they are living a long way off 
and you cannot talk to them, you must have some 
other way of communicating our information, and 
this we do by writing their names, thus : 

Boy. Bird. 

" Now, let us all spell these names. . . . That is 
very well indeed. We have now got the names of 
the objects in our picture, but you see the boy and 
the bird are doing something, and we want to tell our 
absent friends that also, and so we must have some 
other words to write down. I wonder if any of my 
scholars can tell what else ought to be written ?" 

" The boy is holding the bird," was the response 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 47 

of several, and "The bird is spreading its wings," the 

reply of others. 

"Very good," said Miss Truat ; "both replies are 
correct. Xow, let us spell all these words together. 
. . . Very nicely done. We have now learned some- 
thing about our picture ourselves and are prepared 
to give the information to others, and at the same 
time we have acquired more than half the letters 
of the alphabet and understand how to use them. 
This is the way in which I propose to teach you. 
We shall not only learn how to form words, but also 
to understand something of the objects to which they 
are applied ; and I am sure, if we all try to make 
the best use of our opportunities, we shall find that 
the pleasures of knowledge more than repay the 
efforts which we may make to acquire it." 

During the entire forenoon Miss Truat pursued 
her course of object-teaching, making drawings on 
the blackboard, then naming them, after which she 
had her pupils to spell the words used and then read 
over the entire sentence. When this had been done, 
she would have some interesting story or some facts 
to relate, and in this way she succeeded in keeping 
the close attention of the school, not excepting those 
of the boys who had come to the opening of the ses- 
sion with the avowed purpose of breaking up the 
Bchool by personally assaulting the teacher. The 



48 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

method of teaching was so unusual and the manners 
of the teacher so kind and sympathetic as quite to 
perplex those disposed to mischief and derange all 
their predetermined plans. 

Just before dismissing for the noonday intermis- 
sion, Miss Truat turned to her case of beautiful 
birds, which had been the delight of all their young 
eyes, and said : 

" Children, this afternoon I will tell you some 
stories about the beautiful birds and show you my 
drawings which I have in this portfolio, and I have 
also a proposition to make which I think you will 
all like. And now, as we are to have our noonday 
intermission, I want you to play and enjoy your- 
selves, but do not be rude or boisterous. The way 
to be happy is to be kind and obliging one to an- 
other. The blessed guide-book from which we have 
already taken counsel tells us that ' anger resteth in 
the bosom of fools/ and I hope we have none of that 
class in our school. 

" To contribute to your enjoyment I have some 
very pretty grace-hoops, and will teach you how to 
use them, for we can toss them about at our pleasure 
with no fears of breaking windows or noses, they are 
so light. For the boys who wish to go out on the 
green, here are a couple of nice balls. Play with 
them as earnestly as you please, but do not be rough 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 49 

in manners or language. For these dear little folks 
I have some beautiful alphabet blocks and dissected 
pictures. These things will do to begin with, but 
by and by we may find something else to be want- 
ing, and then I shall take great pleasure in procur- 
ing whatever may add to the enjoyment of your 
hours of play. Let us all repeat a little verse before 
we are dismissed, and make it our prayer, and then 
we may have a happy hour for our nooning. Now 
I will write it on the board, and then we will all re- 
peat it together : 

'Keep me, O Lord, from every ill, 

And guide my feet where'er I stray ; 
Help me to do thy righteous will 
Whene'er at study, work, or play.' 

"Children, we are serving God when we are try- 
ing to make each other happy, and we can certainly 
strive to do this in our playing when we all are seek- 
ing enjoyment. Let us all try and prove the truth 
of this during our intermission." 

When finally at liberty for an hour, the whole 
group of children seemed in such a mood as to be 
little disposed to avail themselves of the usually 
coveted opportunity for romps, noise, and mischief. 
The whole proceeding of the new teacher was so 
unexpected and out of the ordinary way of the dis- 
5 D 



50 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

trict as to leave them in a state of astonishment and 
wonder. She had been kind and gentle in manner, 
and had given them in reality the first true relish 
of the pleasures of knowledge, and they seemed re- 
luctant to break the spell of enchantment, so they 
very quietly took their lunch-baskets, and were soon 
engaged in disposing of their contents. Miss Truat 
watched the process, and as soon as she saw that 
their young appetites were satisfied she took another 
step, which had been premeditated, in order to pre- 
vent any consultation between those who had con- 
cocted the previous outbreaks in the school. Tak- 
ing her grace-hoops, she called upon some of her 
oldest girls to take part with her, and then, turning 
to David and Staughton, who were on the point of 
leaving the room together, asked them to join in the 
exercise. The solicitation brought a deep blush to 
both of their faces and a hesitancy which was more 
from real timidity than the consciousness of harbor- 
ing any ill intentions. Miss Truat placed the sticks 
into their hands, and then, giving her hoop a toss 
into the air, she caught it as it came down, and re- 
peated the process several times to show how the 
thing was done. After this brief instruction she 
gave the hoop a toss to David, with directions to 
pass it on to the next, and soon they were earnestly 
engaged in the pleasant amusement, while most of 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 51 

the other children were looking on with an interest 
almost equal to that enjoyed by the parties in the 
exercise. 

By this skillful management the much-feared 
occasion for evil counsels passed by, and the teacher 
had another half day to deepen the impression she 
was striving to make upon the hearts of her new 
charge. 

It is unnecessary to follow Miss Truat further in her 
new mode of teaching; it needs only to add that she 
persevered in the method of object-lessons and class 
recitations as far as they could be employed, trying 
to instruct her pupils rather than pursuing the usual 
and mistaken method of forcing them to learn mere 
arbitrary terms. She enjoined no tasks, but endea- 
vored to excite the mind to activity by a desire to 
know the nature and uses of the facts under consid- 
eration. The main purpose in the subsequent pages 
of this book will be to trace the special employment 
of birds in her mission of instruction and reforma- 
tion. To Miss Truat these became special agents to 
reach both head and heart, and were well chosen, as, 
it is believed, the sequel will show. 

At the reassembling for the afternoon's session the 

« >n> on the blackboard were resumed, and some 
further instruction given in the more direct line of 
common school teaching, after which Miss Truat 



52 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

placed her case of beautiful birds on her table (see 
frontispiece), and turning to the children, said : 

" Do you not think, children, that the world would 
be very dreary if there were no flowers ?" 

"Yes, indeed, teacher," was the response from 
nearly the whole school. 

"So I think," continued Miss Truat; "a world 
without flowers would be a very sombre place. How 
they beautify the fields and the woods and make the 
air fragrant when there is no careful hand to give 
them loving culture ! but when we take them from 
their wild birthplaces and from the companionship of 
vulgar weeds and place them in a rich border, how 
they seem gratefully to repay our kindness ! They 
grow larger, and double and treble their beautiful 
petals ; their bright colors become deeper and richer ; 
and they make us feel as if we are getting back very 
near Paradise when, like Adam, we are dressing 
and keeping the borders where they are growing. 
We ought to be very thankful to our heavenly 
Father for his gracious gift of flowers, and should 
love him more than we love them. But the flowers 
have no voices, and cheer us with only a brief exist- 
ence renewed year after year. They are fixed and 
motionless, except when they are stirred by the wind 
or plucked by the hand, and then their fragrance is 
soon lost and their beauty fades. They are, indeed, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 53 

the chosen emblem of that which is frail and fleet- 
ing. In the Bible, flowers are often used to enforce 
on our attention the brevity of human life : 'As for 
man, his days are as the grass ; as a flower of the 
field so he flourished] : for the wind passeth over it 
and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it 
no more.' And, truly, our life is 

'A fading flower, a ray of light, 

So brief we scarcely hail the dawn 
Ere shadows come, and endless night 

Broods o'er the scene, all brightness gone ! 

'The morning dew, a fleeting shade, 

As springing grass ere noon cut down ; 
'Tis green at morn : it feels the blade ; 

The evening comes: 'tis crisp and brown.' 

" But look at these birds ; what beautiful forms 
and gorgeous plumage, vieing with the flowers in 
their splendor ! and though these specimens are 
fixed and motionless like the flowers, yet each one 
has thousands of living representatives in the sum- 
mer groves, hopping from spray to spray, and pour- 
ins: forth a constant chorus of sonsr. If the loss of 
the flowers would make the earth sad, then how 
much greater would be the calamity if all the birds 
were taken away and the fields and groves left to a 
dreary silence! The dear beautiful birds! how they 
cheer us during summer and sunshine! and even 
6 



54 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

through the dreary days of winter some of them 
remain to gladden its chilling solitude with an occa- 
sional song to remind us of the bright days that 
have flown and quicken us with hopes of others yet 
to come. What of earth can be more beautiful than 
a living group of birds like these ? Or what song is 
more melodious than that heard when a full spring 
chorus of feathered warblers are filling the groves 
with their joyful anthems? Oh, I have loved the 
birds all my life; I have watched them in the woods 
and fields, studied their habits, painted their beauti- 
ful likenesses, and prepared their inanimate forms, 
like these which I now show you. With my father 
I have travelled over a large part of the world to 
see the birds of different countries, and have hun- 
dreds of their pictures to show you, and many stories 
to relate about them w r hich I am sure will please 
and instruct you. And now the proposition I have 
to make is this: I will show you all my pictures, 
and occasionally invite you to visit my father's cab- 
inet, where I can show you the birds of foreign lands, 
and you can thus see how many of them differ from 
those you have been accustomed to in our woods and 
meadows. Another thing I have to propose, which 
I am sure will be very pleasant to us all : it is that 
we shall spend a half day or more now and then in 
rambling through the groves and fields, that we may 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 55 

search out the birds in their native haunts and study 
their habits, the construction of their nests, and the 
form and color of their eggs. We will have some 
shelves made; and if the boys will get me specimens 
of the birds of the neighborhood, I will prepare 
them just as I have those in this case, and we can 
thus in a few months have quite a pretty collection 
of our own. We can also get one or two of each 
species of eggs found in the neighborhood; and when 
the birds have hatched out the remainder, we can get 
the nests also and place the eggs in them, and then 
we shall be able to learn all about their construc- 
tion, and in some of these nests we shall find won- 
derful skill and ingenuity exhibited. In carrying 
out this purpose I do not wish you to be cruel to 
the birds, nor ruthlessly to destroy their nests or 
eggs. To feed the body we have to take the life of 
many animals; God gave them to be food for us, but 
that does not allow us to treat them cruelly nor de- 
stroy them in mere wantonness. So to feed the no- 
bler mind and to gain a knowledge of the whole 
species we may take a single specimen for the pur- 
poses of study. And thus with the eggs: the bird 
will not notice the loss of one or two from the nest, 
and we only want this number from each to make 
up our collection. In this way, before our term 
closes, we can learn a great deal of the natural his- 



56 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

tory of birds and of the wisdom and goodness of 
God in their creation. 

" Now, dear pupils, having told you something of 
my purposes, it only remains for me to say that all 
I ask in return is that you will be kind and good, 
and that you will strive earnestly to learn all you 
can and be happy, and be assured that I shall do 
everything in my power to make you so. We have 
had a very pleasant day together, and I have not 
had the least occasion to find fault with any of you, 
and I shall now dismiss you, hoping that this day is 
but a fair specimen of those we shall hereafter spend 
together. 

"To-morrow I shall have some beautiful pictures 
of the eagles to show you and several interesting sto- 
ries to relate, and shall hope to see you all here to 
enjoy the occasion ; and so, good-night.'' 

The results of the day had wholly deranged the 
plans of the malcontents. They had found no occa- 
sion to resist the authority of the new teacher, nor 
had any tasks been imposed upon them at which 
they could complain. They had rather found them- 
selves under a spell which took away all desires of 
disobedience. But pride of power and place has 
its hold on the young as well as on the old, and 
therefore the usual conflict was experienced by the 
leaders of the young Arabs. They really had been 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 57 

so deeply interested in the exercises of the day that 
they no longer cherished a disposition to commence 
an opposition ; yet they were not quite willing to 
confess their weakness and give up their leadership. 
They very naturally* therefore, came to the usual 
conclusion under such circumstances — to evade any 
issue on the subject, and let the future work out the 
results. But the nervous anxiety of each one to 
place himself right on the record defeated this non- 
committal policy, for hardly had they left the school- 
house door before Jake Van Gilder began to taunt 
Dave for his day's failure, saying: 

" Dave Overocker, you're a coward ! Why didn't 
you give the signal to-day? Why, you just let that 
little snip of a woman do just as she pleased with 
you." 

"Jake," said Dave, angrily, "don't you call me a 
coward, or I'll show you whether I'm one mighty 
quick. But how could I do anything? Why, she 
just rattled on from one thing to another so that we 
had no chance, and showed her pictures and birds ; 
and didn't you see that she completely bamboozled 
the whole school?" 

" Yes, and I guess she has hit you on the weak 
spot too," responded young Van Gilder. 

" You just let me alone," was Dave's reply ; " she's 
only pulling the wool over our eyes. I don't think 



58 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

such sweetness will last long, and you bet I'll take 
the first chance to astonish her a little. Isn't that 
the best way, Stote?" said the leader, turning to 
that lad. 

" Well, I guess so," was the reply, though in fact 
Staughton had resolved to have nothing to do with 
any assault on Miss Truat. Her kindness of man- 
ner had won his heart, and her new method of in- 
struction had given a sharp quickening to his intel- 
lect ; hence the thought of having her driven away 
was painful. But as he lacked the moral courage 
to boldly avow his better sentiments, he was glad to 
escape with the indefinite answer which he had given. 
This ended the colloquy, and the children separated 
to their homes, where their stories of the strange 
methods of the new teacher excited almost as much 
wonder as they themselves had experienced. 



CIIArTER V. 

THE GUARDIAN OF THE BIRDS' XESTS. 

AFTER the dismissal of her scholars, Miss Truat 
remained at the schoolhouse for some time to 
set her things in order and lock up her case of birds 
in a closet which had been provided. While thus 
engaged she heard a heavy step in the entry, and 
going to see who it was, became excessively fright- 
ened at beholding a large and powerful man stand- 
ing there staring wildly at her, barefooted and bare- 
headed. As soon as she appeared he thrust out his 
left arm, with the hand bent down, exposing the wrist, 
on which she noticed a large callus. The man at 
the same moment began swaying himself to and fro 
obliquely from right to left, balanced on his right 
foot, singing in a drawling tone: 

"See-saw, dickerv daw, 
Jim's a-hungrv [ n 

Mitt Truat grew faint with fear; and could she 
have done BO, .-he would have rushed from the house, 
but there the strange being stood, effectually blocking 

59 



60 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

up the way. Kemembering that she had most of 
her dinner yet in her basket, and taking the hint 
from his expressions of hunger, with as much cool- 
ness as possible she stepped back and placed the 
food on the table, and then said to the man : 

" If you are hungry, here is something for you to 
eat." 

The intruder waited for no second invitation, but 
stepped to the table and began to eat most vora- 
ciously, while Miss Truat with a sudden spring rushed 
by him into the open air, most fortunately to meet her 
father, whose anxiety for his daughter had led him 
to walk to the schoolhouse to see after her progress. 

" Oh, father," said she as she fell into his arms, 
" there is a terrible-looking man in the schoolhouse 
who has given me a dreadful fright. ,, 

" Why, my daughter, I hope he has offered you 
no violence ?" 

" No, father, but please go in and see what he is 
doing." 

Doctor Truat on entering the schoolhouse found 
the odd character standing before the case of birds, 
with his great restless eyes staring at them, while 
his body was energetically swaying to and fro. As 
soon as he noticed the entrance of the doctor he 
pointed his long finger at one of the nests in the case, 
and repeated with unusual emphasis his distich : 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 61 

" See-saw, dickery daw, 
Jim knows." 

The doctor at once surmised that the strange cha- 
racter before him was a well-known simpleton of the 
neighborhood called Jim Lee, whom he had long 
desired to meet, hoping that something might be 
done by proper medical treatment to mitigate his 
physical and mental infirmities. 

Poor Jim was then about twenty years of age, 
being the son of very poor and thriftless parents. 
Their wretched home was located on the border of 
a dismal piece of swamp, where they eked out a 
scanty living by gathering roots, herbs, and ber- 
ries in summer-time and the manufacture of a few T 
baskets in the w T inter season. But from whatever 
source their revenue came, much the larger outgo 
was always for whisky and tobacco, leaving them lit- 
tle, even if they had cherished the disposition, to 
spend in efforts to relieve the misfortunes of their 
afflicted son. Mentally weak from his birth and 
utterly neglected by his parents, the poor lad's con- 
dition was indeed a sad one. He was not exactly a 
fool, but weak-minded ; but the small spark of intel- 
lect had been left so long dormant as to seem nearly 
or quite extinguished at the time of his introduction 
to the reader. There were, however, some points of 
character which he manifested that indicated much 
6 



62 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

sharpness — so much so as to seem the quickenings of 
instinct rather than the processes of reasoning. His 
appetite had always been so enormously voracious 
that he was never known to stop eating when any- 
thing was before him that could be devoured ; and 
his uniform salutation whenever he entered a house 
was to drawl out : 

" See-saw, dickery daw, 
Jim's a-hungry," 

which seldom failed, as the easiest way of getting rid 
of him, to bring out an ample supply of bread and 
cold meat. The result of all this was that he had 
grown up to be six feet four inches in height, and 
was correspondingly broad and burly. His feet 
were enormously large even for one of his size, and 
were always bare summer and winter, seemingly as 
tough and hardy as the hoof of an ox. The length 
of his arms and the size of his hands corresponded 
with the dimensions of his feet, and his whole make- 
up was well calculated to excite some alarm in any 
one who might meet him alone, unless acquainted 
with his harmlessness. Being a simpleton, he had 
alw 7 ays been the butt and sport of the young Arabs 
of the neighborhood, who always treated him with 
rudeness, and often with great cruelty. To protect 
himself it became a habit to hold out the left hand 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 63 

and receive their blows on the wrist, which by their 
frequency had produced the callus before mentioned. 
Indeed, this wicked cruelty had produced such in- 
sensibility that he would himself, at the provocation 
of the boys, take a large club and inflict blow after 
blow on his own wrist with sufficient force to have 
broken the arm of an ordinary man. 

His physical strength was wonderful ; and when 
exasperated beyond endurance, he would hurl stones 
at his tormentors that would have taxed the strength 
of ordinary men to lift from the ground, which mis- 
siles had come near proving fatal in more than one 
instance. Ordinarily, however, Jim was of a quiet 
and harmless disposition, willing to bring wood and 
water for all who asked him ; and this was the ex- 
tent of his usefulness at home or abroad. 

Dull as the poor simpleton was, he nevertheless 
seemed to have a sharp intuitive perception of cha- 
racter, and knew- perfectly well at whose kitchens 
lie would find the largest pieces of bread and butter, 
and a welcome to warm his bare feet in wintry 
weather. His susceptibility to acts of kindness 
might be called excessive, and he always showed his 
acknowledgment by looking for the axe or the wa- 
ter-pai) so soon as he had disposed of his provisions. 
When not otherwise employed, he would stand for 
hours gazing at the sun, all the while keeping up his 



64 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

swaying motion and repeating his rhyme, adding 
such disconnected remarks as his weak mind and 
meagre vocabulary supplied. Occasionally in these 
soliloquies he spoke of persons and characters in a 
manner that showed no little penetration and wit. 

But the marked peculiarity which Jim manifested 
was his devotion to the birds. Most of his time was 
spent in roaming through the fields and woods watch- 
ing his favorites and hunting up their nests. The 
annual flight of the pigeons was a continual holiday 
to Jim. When he saw a great flock coming, he 
would see-saw with the greatest vehemence, while 
his eyes would follow their flight, his whole counte- 
nance indicating the most enthusiastic delight, all 
the while repeating, 

" See-saw, dickery daw, 
Pigeons ! pigeons !" 

increasing the emphasis until his chant would end in 
a fierce scream. Next to the flight of the pigeons, 
the migration of the wild geese seemed to afford Jim 
the greatest delight. No sooner did he hear the 
" cronk " of a squadron of w T ild geese than he would 
rush to get a view of them, fairly frantic w r ith excite- 
ment until they had again passed out of sight. On 
such occasions he usually connected with his song a 
part of another nursery rhyme : 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 65 

"See-saw, dickery daw, 

Goosey gander, where do you wander?" 

For the nests of his pets Jim regarded himself as 
the special guardian. He spent hours in hunting 
for birds' nests, and there were probably but few in 
the range of half a dozen miles that he did not 
search out and frequently visit to look after the 
safety of his treasures; nor did he relax his care 
until the little fledglings were able to take wing 
with their parents. His skill in finding nests was 
wonderful, and of itself showed that there was a 
spark of intellect susceptible of cultivation. No 
nest was so close hidden in bush or thicket, or placed 
so high in the tops of the trees, that he could not find 
it; and once found, he must look into it and admire 
the contents. To do this he was often known to 
climb the tallest trees with a facility that was truly 
wonderful. 

The great admiration which poor Jim manifested 

at the sight of a brilliant bird or a delicate mottled 

egg showed that he had a sense of the beautiful, and 

his watchful care over their safety evinced that he 

ssed great kindness of heart. 

Doctor Truat had learned something of these facts 

in relation to the poor neglected young man, and was 

strong in the conviction that some mitigation of his 

unfortunate condition might be secured; hence he 

6* E 



66 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

had cherished a strong desire to meet Jim, in order 
that he might examine his case and administer the 
proper remedies. Rightly judging that the odd 
personage in the schoolroom was the simpleton of 
whom he had heard, he called his daughter, with 
the assurance that she had nothing to fear from the 
strange intruder who had caused her such fright. 
In a few words he explained to her his character 
as it has just been set before the reader. 

" Come, my daughter," said he, " you have little 
cause of fear from this poor man, whom Providence 
has thrown in our way, perhaps, that we may do him 
a service ; and perchance you may find him a useful 
ally in some of your rambles, for he is as great a 
lover of birds as you are, and especially regards 
himself as the guardian of their nests." 

Thus assured, Miss Truat re-entered the school- 
room, where Jim was found gazing with an absorbed 
look at the case of birds. The nests seemed par- 
ticularly to attract his attention. His look of dis- 
approbation indicated that he regarded a trespass as 
having been committed on his rightful possessions. 
Ordinarily, in the fields, if one disturbed a bird's 
nest that he had discovered, it was done at some 
peril, as he was sure to resent this violation of his 
guardianship. As he gazed at the nests in the case 
he seemed to be hesitating whether he ought not to 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 67 

resent this desecration of his treasures. To relieve 
his distrust, Doctor Truat tried to show him that no 
harm had been done by taking one or two eggs. 
This he did by putting four eggs into one nest, and 
then removing one with a nod, and afterward taking 
them all out, at the same time shaking the head, and 
putting three of them back again. This was re- 
peated several times, Jim watching the process, when 
he seemed to catch the idea; and as was always the 
case when quickened with a thought, he indicated 
his pleasure by repeating, 

" See-saw, dickery daw, 
Jim knows." 

As the poor simpleton was ever ready to follow 
any one who treated him kindly, the doctor had no 
difficulty in inducing him to accompany himself and 
daughter home, where he was well fed and most 
kindly treated. The doctor improved the occasion 
to examine into his physical and mental condition, 
the result of which only confirmed him in the opin- 
ion that the darkness of the latter might be greatly 
mitigated — a kindly service which he resolved to at- 
tempt after obtaining the consent of his parents. 

After Jim had been abundantly fed and carefully 
examined, the daughter took him into the cabinet 
of her father and showed him all its feathered trea- 



68 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 




Fig. 2.— The Ostrich and Nest. 



sures. Jim was wonderfully excited, especially when 
he saw the large and strange birds. A huge condor 
called forth the most emphatic expressions of delight, 
and so with a splendid flamingo. But the penguin 
seemed quite to nonplus him ; it did not meet his 
ideas of a bird. To show this, Jim held out his 
great arms and flapped them on his sides, while with 
a broad grin he said, 

" See-saw, dickery daw, 
Ho, ho ! Jim knows." 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 69 

When, however, he came to examine the gigantic 
ostriches (Fig. 2) and their nest, filled with their 
monster eggs, his wonder culminated. He swayed 
to and fro in a perfect frenzy, his great eyes fairly 
staring and his refrain becoming wild as he repeated 
it over and over. Miss Truat was so startled by his 
manner that she called her father into the cabinet, 
who watched poor Jim's demonstrations with pecu- 
liar interest, remarking to his daughter: 

"A mind that can be so moved at the sight of 
one of God's creatures has not been left so wholly 
destitute of man's great endowment as to be beyond 
hope of cultivation, which I trust we shall be able 
to demonstrate." 

" He is, indeed, a strange creature," replied the 
daughter, " and I am sure I shall take great plea- 
sure in rendering all the aid I can to alleviate his 
condition." 

As the eggs of the ostrich had attracted Jim's 
particular attention, Doctor Truat placed one in his 
hand, which pleased him greatly. He turned it 
over and over, looked and grinned in a most delight- 
ed way, and then, touching the ostrich from under 
which it was taken, repeated his rhyme: 

" See-saw, dickery daw, 
Jim knows." 

"Yes," said the doctor, "Jim does know much 



70 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

more than he has ever had credit for, and verily 
there has been great neglect, if not guilt, in allowing 
him to grow up so darkened and besotted as he is ; 
and with your help, my daughter, we will see what 
can be done for this poor child of neglect. I will 
treat the body if you will administer to the mind, 
and the results of this day's experiment gives you at 
least bright hopes of success, whatever may be the 
consequences of my administrations." 

"I will try my best, father; and if I fail, it will 
not be from want of zeal in my efforts. ,, 

"May God grant you success above your most 
sanguine expectations !" replied the doctor. 

With these matured plans for his relief, Jim was 
dismissed with a bountiful supply of provisions, and 
made to understand that he was to come again, and 
should then have some more and see the birds again 
— two facts either of which was sure to make him 
punctual, which Jim seemed to indicate as he took 
up his load, and with a peculiar expression turned 
to the doctor and sung, 

" See-saw, dickery daw, 
Jim knows," 

and started on his way home, going up the lane in a 
gait half swing and half walk, all the while keeping 
up a constant jabber to himself. 



CHAPTER VI. 

5 .BOUT EAGLES. 

MfSS TBUAT noticed, when opening her school 
on the second day, that David and Sraughton 
were both absent, but came in some time after look- 
ing flushed and uneasy. 

B riptare lesson for the mornir._ - i part 

of the thirty-ninth chapter of J mencing at 

the twenty-sixth versr : u Doth the hawk fly by thy 

lorn, and stretch her wings toward the south? 

Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and 

make her nest on high ? She dwelleth and abideth 

on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the 

From thence she seeketh the prey, 

I her eyes behold atar off. Her young onee also 

suck up blood : and where the slain are, there is 

most of the forenoon was spent 
with the blackboard and object-les^ r which 

ildren, j y I showed you Bome y~A the 

beautiful birds which God has made to delight 



72 



BOYS AND BIKDS. 



eyes and to charm us with their songs ; but birds are 
not all of this class, nor do they always inspire us 




with pleasure at the sight of ^ 
them or the sound of their voices. 
Many of them are large and fierce, 
and scream with a hoarseness that has 
only terror in the sound. Nor do they all 
live by harmlessly gathering up the seeds 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 73 

of poisonous weeds or troublesome insects, but ruth- 
lessly prey upon smaller birds, animals, and even 
attack the young of large beasts, and sometimes 
carry off little children to satisfy their craving for 
flesh. Because of these evil habits, the learned have 
named these birds Raptores — that is, robbers — and 
AccipitreS) those that seize rapaciously. To do their 
bloody work, they are provided with terrible long 
and sharp claws and strong hooked beaks. They 
possess great and powerful wings, and a sight so 
keen that they can see small objects on the ground 
when they are soaring high in the air. The eagle is 
the noblest bird of this class, though not the largest, 
and delights to soar in the sky, often far above the 
storm that is raging below ; and in the language of 
Job which we read this morning, ' From thence she 
seeketh her prey, and her eyes behold afar off.' (Fig. 
3.) According to my promise yesterday, I am going 
to show you some pictures which I have made of these 
great birds, and tell you about their habits; and I 
have also several stories to relate of their attempts 
to carry off little children with which to feed their 
young. 

" Now we will have our nooning, and I hope an- 
other pleasant time, and then have our stories about 
the i 

During the intermission Miss Truat could not 
7 



74 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

help noticing that her two largest boys seemed ill 
at ease and avoided as much as possible any inter- 
course with her. This led her to entertain a fore- 
boding that they intended some mischief, yet were 
reluctant to begin until they found a plausible ex- 
cuse, which she determined not to give them if she 
could possibly avoid it. The fact was that the 
tauntings of some of the larger boys, insinuating cow- 
ardice and fear of a little woman, had nerved Dave 
and Stote to a determination to make some demon- 
stration that would preserve their prestige as lead- 
ers. Had Miss Truat used but one rough word or 
required one questionable act, the rebellion would 
have been an easy matter ; but as she gave them no 
such occasion, it was an ordeal of determinate viola- 
tion of conscience and personal rudeness from which 
they would gladly have escaped. But the love of 
power, which has brutalized so many older and wiser 
heads than theirs, carried the day, and the two lads 
had agreed on their way to school that morning to 
make an outbreak that day whether provoked or not. 
During the whole forenoon they had watched uneasily 
for a fitting opportunity, but the exceeding careful- 
ness of the teacher had thwarted their desires, leav- 
ing them still hesitating. During the intermission 
they found opportunity to fix upon a plan to accom- 
plish their object in the afternoon. In its execution 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 75 

Dave was to rush out of the schoolhouse and to be 
followed by the rest of the boys, all making as much 
noise as possible, hoping thereby to frighten Miss 
Truat, so that she would not resume her teaching 
again. The design was whispered into the ears of 
some of the largest boys, who had always stood ready 
for active resistance, with the fullest expectation that 
they would still show their readiness to follow their 
leaders. 

AVith a nervous anticipation of impending evil, 
Miss Truat began her afternoon's work. 

" Children, " said she, " some of you may remember 
how an eagle attempted to carry off a little boy near 
the city of New York a year or two ago. The oc- 
currence took place not far from my former home. 
The little boy and his brother were in a w r heat-field 
amusing themselves by trying to use the sickles 
while the reapers were at dinner. While thus en- 
gaged a great eagle came sailing overhead, and with 
a sudden swoop seized the smallest boy and at- 
tempted to carry him off; but fortunately he only 
caught his clothes in his talons. They gave way, and 
the child escaped. The eagle, finding that he had 
missed his prey, lighted on the limb of a tree near 
by, and after waiting a few minutes made another 
dash after the boy, who now stood bravely on his 
defence. As the eagle made his swoop, and at- 



76 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

tempted to fix his terrible claws in the lad, the lat- 
ter made a vigorous blow with the point of the 
sharp sickle, which fortunately entered just under 
the left wing and penetrated the bird's heart, and 
the fierce robber fell dead before his brave little vic- 
tim. On opening the eagle his stomach was found 
entirely empty, which accounted for his desperate 
attack on the boy. 

" In the early settlement of Tippah county, Mis- 
souri, a similar occurrence took place which did not 
end so fortunately. During an intermission of one 
of the district schools, while the children were at 
play, a monster eagle made a dash into the group, and 
seized a lad about eight years old, named James 
Renney, and bore him off. The children screamed, 
and the teacher and some of the neighbors rushed 
out to save the boy, but the cruel bird was too high 
in the air, in which he soared higher and higher. 
By and by, when nearly out of sight, in some way 
the poor boy was loosened from the eagle's talons, 
and fell to the earth, and was dashed to pieces. 

" These accounts, children, show that the eagles 
have been w T ell named when they are called vo- 
racious robbers. Yet they are magnificent birds, 
and have always inspired the mind with ideas of 
nobleness and grandeur, and have been used in all 
nations as types of soaring ambition. They are re- 




Boys and. Birds. 



Fig. 4„— Golden Eagba. 



Page 7?. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



77 



peatedly referred to in the Bible in this and other 
senses as a means of giving us instruction, and we 
may very properly, therefore, devote some of our 
time in learning something of their structure and 
habits, and then we will pass on to consider the more 
beautiful and useful birds. 

" Here is a pair of splendid golden eagles," said 
she, at the same time taking from her portfolio a 
beautiful drawing in water colors of the birds named. 
(Fig. 4.) "These magnificent birds," she continued, 
" I drew from life. They were taken by my father, 
when but partly fledged, from a nest in the White 
Mountains, New Hampshire. (Fig. 5.) The nest 
was placed on a cliff upon one of the highest peaks 
of the mountain, and con- 
tained the somewhat unu- 
sual number of four birds. 
It was constructed with a 
few sticks put loosely to- 
gether, but just sufficient 
to keep the eggs from 
rolling away. The eagle 
seldom lays more than 
three egg?, which are of a dull white with cloudy 
patches of brown, and about the size of goose eggs. 

" My father bad to watch the nest from which 
these birds were taken for several days, the old 

7 " 




Fig. 5. Eagle's Nest. 



78 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

eagles were so fierce and vigilant; and it would 
have been very dangerous to attempt to remove the 
young when they were near by. During their pro- 
tracted absence he secured his prize and hurried 
away, and a splendid pair of birds they made. They 
became very tame and playful, but never quite for- 
got their robber habits, having always retained a 
great fondness for a chicken dinner; hence the 
safety of our poultry-yard required that they should 
be restrained of their liberty. 

"The golden eagles vary much in color, being 
seen of almost every shade of brown, often with a 
purplish or golden gloss; hence their name. The 
under part of the bird is occasionally of a glossy 
black, as is also the tip of the tail, while its base is 
more or less of a whitish. cast. The tail-feathers of 
this bird are most highly prized by the Indians to 
ornament their heads and war dresses, and often a 
pony or rifle is given in exchange for the tail of a 
single eagle. The eagle has very expansive and 
powerful wings, often spreading eight or nine feet, 
and capable of bearing aloft very heavy bodies. 
Notice also the terrible sharp claws and powerful 
hooked beak, and we can see at once that he is a 
fearful enemy to contend with. 

"There are about seventy species of this bird 
found in all countries, but the next best known 




mi 



I M ( I' 



m in 

mliliiihuf/; 




Boys and Birds. 



Page 79. 



Fig. 6.— Scottish Mother Kescuing her Child. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 79 

among u$ is the ' white-headed' or ' bald eagle.' This 
magnificent bird differs from the golden eagle prin- 
cipally in having the head, neck, and tail white, and 
in being much more rapid in flight. He is a true rob- 
ber, for he not only manifests the rapacious disposi- 
tion of his race, but hovers along the seashore where 
the peaceful fish-hawk is rearing his young; and 
when the latter has captured his finny prey, the 
bald eagle makes a dash at him and compels him to 
yield up his prize, which the bold robber takes to 
his eyrie and devours at his leisure. 

" This eagle usually builds its nest in the top of 
some tall tree, and occupies it year after year if left 
undisturbed in its possession. The eggs are about 
the size of the golden eagle's, though more spherical 
and of a duller white. 

"Look here, children,'' said Miss Truat as she 
took from her sketches a graphic picture that at 
once arrested the attention of the school ; " this is 
an attempt to portray an incident that once occurred 
in Scotland, and you have been such good children 
I will tell you all about it. (Fig. 6.) 

U A Scottish sailor had his home among the high- 
lands of Scotland, where his wife and son Donald 
kept a few sheep to eke out a living while he was 
off at sea. On one occasion an enormous eagle was 
seen hovering over the flock, and it required all the 



80 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

vigilance of mother and son to keep the hungry bird 
from carrying off some of their lambs. They were 
compelled to stand by the sheep constantly and fol- 
low them along the slopes as they fed gradually far- 
ther and farther from the cabin, in the door-yard of 
which a smaller child was left at play. Being two 
or three times foiled in his attempts to obtain a mut- 
ton dinner, he seemed to meditate a revenge for his 
disappointment. Leaving the location of the flock, 
he took his flight in the direction of the cabin, and 
after sailing around a few moments in wide circles, 
he made a plunge, took the child in his talons, and 
bore it aloft to his eyrie on a high crag of the moun- 
tain to feed it to his young. Donald saw the dread- 
ful act, and shouted in agony to his mother, w 7 ho was 
guarding the flock at some distance. When she 
looked, she saw her darling struggling in the claws 
of the bloodthirsty bird, which was high in the air, 
sailing off for his nest. With a wild shriek the 
mother started up the mountain on which the eagle's 
nest was situated, desperation seeming to lend her 
fleetness and superhuman strength. From crag to 
crag she almost seemed to fly with as much ease as 
the ravenous bird she was following, and was soon so 
far up the cliff as to hear the cries of her darling, 
which gave new energy to her efforts. Up, up she 
flies until she reaches the very top of the crag, but 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 81 

the fatal nest is on the other side, on the very face of 
the promontory, with scarcely a foothold by which 
to reach it. But nothing daunted, she creeps around 
until she beholds the robber in whose claws her ter- 
rified child is still struggling. There she beheld 
also three wide-open and hungry mouths waiting 
until the fierce beak should divide her precious child 
to feed them — an act which the old eagle seemed just 
on the point of doing. He was too intent on his 
bloody purpose to notice the near approach of the 
mother of his victim. There was the fearful cliff at 
the foot of which stood poor Donald with clasped 
hands watching the daring steps of his mother, 
trembling as much for her as for the safety of his 
little brother. The mother paused not to mark the 
narrowness of the path she must tread, nor the fear- 
ful depths below ; she thought only of her darling 
iu the claws of the dreadful bird. With one des- 
perate bound she lighted on the very back of the 
eagle, clasped her arms about his neck, and with 
her hands seized her child, who w r as under the bird. 
" The eagle, surprised at such interruption, spread 
its wings, and with one bound dropped over the 
brow of the cliff, and was struggling in the air with 
his strange burden. In his desperate attempts to fly 
the eagle sufficiently broke the force of the fall, so 
that all came to the ground without serious injury, 



82 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

where, by the brave efforts of the mother and Don- 
ald, the eagle was driven off and the poor child res- 
cued with only a few scratches to tell of its wonder- 
ful aerial excursion as an intended dinner for the 
eagle's family. 

" Notwithstanding the rapacious disposition of the 
eagle tribe, because of their power and bravery, 
keenness of vision, and lofty soaring they have been 
one of the chosen insignia of some of the mightiest 
nations, and have also served as a repeated Scrip- 
ture metaphor. The image of an eagle surmounted 
the banners of imperial Rome, and, later, those of 
France, and a double-headed one those of Austria. 
The founders of our beloved republic did' not over- 
look this bird of majesty, but blazoned him on our 
escutcheon, and bestowed upon him a new 7 honor in 
calling him the * Bird of Washington.' 

" Then, from his mansion in the sun, 
She called her eagle-bearer down, 
And gave into his mighty hand 
The symbol of her chosen land.' 

" When you visit me, I will show you several pre- 
served specimens of these majestic birds, including 
several species which are never found in our coun- 
try, prominent among which is the fearful harpy 
eagle of South America, so ugly and fierce-looking 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



83 



that we can well spare him from our catalogue of 
birds. 

"Several species of eagles are very fond of fish, 
and are not reluctant to capture certain kinds which 
are accustomed to visit the shallow waters to bask 
in the sun. On 
one occasion an 
observing gentle- 
man noticed a 
powerful eagle sit- 
ting on the limb 
of a tall tree over- 
looking a shallow 
in the lake at the 

base Of the cliff I*.*-** Watching for Fish. 

on which the tree stood. (Fig. 7.) He was evidently- 
watching something very intently in the water below. 
After a few minutes he w T as seen to make a sudden 
swoop ; then there was a splash on the surface of 
the water, and soon the eagle reappeared with an 
enormous pike in his talons, which he attempted to 
bear aloft to the cliff on which he had been perched. 
But he soon found that he had got more than he 
bad bargained for; the weight of the fish w r as too 
much for his muscle, and he was carried by the fish 
back into the water. Somehow the eagle's claws 
became so fastened into the sides of the fish that 




84 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



he could not release them, and after a fierce strug- 
gle for his life, he was borne under the water, and 




Fig. 8.— An Eagle Drowned by a Fish, 



became the victim of his intended prey and his 
own rapacity. The gentleman obtained a boat, and 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 85 

after a short search found both the eagle and the 
fish dead, still locked in their fatal embrace. (Fig. 8.) 

"The sight of an eagle is truly wonderful. How- 
ever high he may be in the air, even when almost 
out of range of our vision, he can see his prey, and 
with the directness of an arrow swoops upon it. His 
presence is sure to excite the greatest terror in a 
flock of ducks, geese, or pigeons, and they scatter 
with the utmost panic to escape his talons. He is a 
bold depredator, as the incidents already related 
abundantly prove ; and to these many others might 
be added. He makes many visits to the pasture 
and the fold for his lamb, or snatches up the goose 
or chicken when better supplies cannot be obtained ; 
hence he is dreaded by the farmer and the thrifty 
housewife near whose home he happens to be rear- 
ing his yearly brood of eaglets. From these destruc- 
tive propensities we ought, perhaps, to be thankful 
that the race is not more numerous in our favored 
land. 

" H,ere, children," continued Miss Truat, " we 
must close our bird lessons for the day, but to-mor- 
row— " 

Just as the teacher had uttered these words she 

was startled by a loud outcry in striking imitation 

of the scream of the eagle about which she had 

just been talking, followed by a loud stamping as 

8 



86 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

Dave and Stote suddenly sprang up and went jump- 
ing out of the schoolhouse, crying as they passed the 
door, 

" Come on, boys ; school is finished !" 

Miss Truat was for a moment stunned by the sud- 
denness and rudeness of the outbreak ; but control- 
ling herself, she followed them with her eyes to the 
door, and then turned again to her school to notice 
the effect on the rest of her pupils ; she could not, 
however, restrain the gush of tears which welled 
from her eyes. Most of the children seemed quite 
as much perplexed as their teacher, and many of 
their eyes were as tearful as her own ; but what was 
peculiarly gratifying to her, not one followed the re- 
bellious pupils. Pausing for a few moments until 
sufficiently collected, she continued as though noth- 
ing had happened : 

"To-morrow, children, I will tell you something 
about vultures, hawks, and owls, which belong to 
the same general family as the eagles, and will 
bring two or three specimens of birds to show you, 
as well as many pictures. Only be good children, 
and do not be led away by evil counsels, and I 
will try to make you all happy, for I do love you 
dearly." 

As soon as the school was dismissed, Jacob Van 
Gilder walked directly to the teacher, and putting 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 87 

out his hand, said with frankness and much emo- 
tion : 

" Miss Truat, I'll have nothing to do wit-i those 
bad boys. I've been in their counsels and have 
been as wicked as they are, but I'm ashamed of 
myself, and want to be a good boy and learn, and 
want you to let me love you." 

Jacob's frankness quite overcame his teacher, and 
she took his hand and they wept together, while 
the whole school gathered round in full sympathy. 
After thus remaining for some time indulging in the 
melting mood, Jacob turned to his fellow-pupils and 
said : 

" Boys, how many of you will stand by the teacher? 
As many as will do so hold up the hand." 

In response to this appeal every hand in the school 
went up. For this expression of support Miss Truat 
cordially thanked them, but said : 

"Dear children, while I am grateful for the ex- 
pression just given, I shall not ask f r any support 
from you except your personal regard Love is the 
only force which will be used in my sc! ool, and those 
who cannot be ruled by it must not be of our num- 
ber. Let us love God and one another, and we shall 
be happy." 

When Miss Truat wended her way home that 
night, she was fully relieved from the shock caused 



88 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

by the afternoon's demonstration, and assured that 
the crisis of her experiment was safely passed. 

As for the disappointed leaders, they were in a 
pitiable condition. They fully expected that a large 
majority of the boys would follow them, as they will- 
ingly had in former outbreaks. When, therefore, 
they found themselves standing in the school-yard, 
with not a single supporter at their back, they were 
completely dumbfounded. They had failed, and 
felt that their power was for ever gone ; and worse 
than this, they had forfeited their own self-respect 
and the confidence of their teacher. They stood for 
some time in blank amazement, looking foolishly at 
each other, as though at a loss to comprehend the 
situation. They at first thought that some attempt 
would be made to induce them to return to the 
schoolroom by coaxing or force ; but as nothing of 
the kind occurred, they finally seemed to compre- 
hend that they had made fools of themselves, and 
sneaked off to their homes, about as chapfallen and 
unhappy as two lads could well be. 



CHAPTER VII. 

REPENTANCE ASD PROMISES. 

TT7HEN Miss Truat started for her school on the 
' ' following morning, her anxiety was not about 
the probabilities of a general success in her under- 
taking, but how she could again bring the two rec- 
reant pupils under her influence and instruction. 
Plan after plan had been thought over and aban- 
doned, none seeming to give assurance of a success- 
ful issue. It would be useless to report them to the 
committee, as they had repeatedly expressed their 
convictions of the hopelessness of the young lads. 
To seek the interposition of parental authority would 
only result in rebuke, and to hunt up the delin- 
quents and try to persuade them to return would 
be equally futile. It seemed a sad alternative to 
give them up to follow their evil ways to final ruin, 
but to this painful conclusion the teacher had nearly 
arrived when reaching the vicinity of the grove in 
which she had noticed the snowy owl on a former 
day. Pausing here for a moment, if perchance she 

8 • 89 



90 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

might get another sight of the splendid bird, much 
to her surprise she encountered her rebellious pupil, 
David, seated upon a log by the roadside. By his 
side there was a rudely-constructed cage in which sat 
staring at her with its great eyes a magnificent live 
owl similar to the one she had formerly noticed. 
Approaching near to the boy, she addressed him in 
a cheerful tone, saying: 

" Why, David, is this you ? And what a splendid 
bird you have there !" 

Poor David looked very downcast, and his utter- 
ance was choking and tremulous as he replied : 

" It's the owl I promised to get you." Then, paus- 
ing for a moment, during which it was seen that a 
severe internal struggle was going on, he passion- 
ately exclaimed : " Oh, Miss Truat, I'm ashamed of 
what I did yesterday ; and if you'll only forgive me 
this once, and let me come back to school, I'll do all 
I can to please you — I will, indeed I will!" 

Miss Truat was fully impressed with the evident 
sincerity of the penitent, and her warm heart was at 
once in deep sympathy with her pupil, to whom she 
cordially responded : 

" Oh, David, I felt sure that you would be sorry 
for your conduct, and I am so glad to find that I 
was not mistaken in your character ; and be assured 
that I do most cordially and fully forgive you." 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 91 

"I am indeed sorry for my bad behavior, and 
will go right to the school and tell them all so, and 
then I'm sure I shall feel a great deal better." 

"That is a noble resolution, David," said the 
teacher, "and I honor you for making it, but it is 
not necessary for you to make such a formal con- 
fession of your error. Come with me to the school, 
and the children will understand that you have re- 
pented when they see how ready you are to yield 
obedience and mark your efforts to learn. So we 
will forget the past, and see how well we can im- 
prove the future opportunities we may have." 

" Oh, I'll try with all my might, I will," responded 
David, with great earnestness ; " but I've been a 
wicked boy so long it'll be mighty hard for me to 
be good." 

"That is true, David, for all our resolutions are 
but weakness unless we are strengthened by divine 
aid, and that I hope you may yet learn to seek. If 
you can do no more to obtain this blessed assistance, 
I will teach you to say the Lord's prayer; and try 
and make that part yours where it says, ' Lead us 
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,' and 
you will have more strength to resist bad influences 
and break away from old habits." 

"Oh, I'll try mighty hard, Miss Truat. I've 
often made good resolutions, but they wouldn't last 



92 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

long, and then I'd give up and say it was no use. 
But last night, when I felt so bad that I couldn't 
sleep, I just felt as though I wanted some one to 
help me to do right, and wondered if the Lord ever 
did help bad boys like me when they wanted to be 
good and be somebody." 

" Yes, my dear boy, the Lord does surely help all 
those who sincerely wish to do right and go to him 
for grace and strength, for he assures us that he is 
a ' present help in time of trouble.' If you truly 
seek his aid, your better desires will be realized ; and 
be assured that you shall have my earnest prayers 
and untiring assistance in all your struggles to reach 
a higher life." 

" Oh, thank you, thank you !" was the grateful 
response of her pupil. "I begin to feel stronger 
already." 

It would be difficult to tell which was the happier 
as teacher and pupil stood there by the roadside 
holding this conversation. One heart was joyfully 
beating with the pulsations of a new-born purpose 
to seek a nobler life, w T hile the other was rejoicing 
that her humble efforts had been blest in awakening 
this noble aspiration. The teacher felt anew the 
rich rewards which they are sure to inherit who give 
even a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul in the 
name and for the sake of the divine Master. From 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



93 



the success realized in the case before her, she was 
led to cherish great hopes of seeing many others of 




Fig. 8.— 



the neglected children of the district rescued from 
the sad condition in which she had found them. 
When the conversation ended which had so hap- 



94 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

pily restored the relations of the teacher and one of 
her recreant pupils, Miss Truat turned again to the 
grave bird, which had been all the while staring at 
them with its great cat-like eyes (Fig. 8), and asked : 

" Why, David, how did you succeed in catching 
this magnificent bird ? It is one of the finest speci- 
mens I ever saw, and rarely met with in this part of 
the country so late in the season of spring/' 

"Well, Miss Truat/' was the reply, "you see I 
couldn't sleep last night, I felt so bad. I thought 
you would despise me and the boys would laugh at 
me, and I just wished I was dead. While I was 
tumbling about in my bed I heard the owl hooting 
in the woods close by our house, and it reminded me 
of my promise to get you the bird, and that made 
me feel a great deal worse ; and then it came to me 
all at once to just get up and try to catch the owl 
and send it to you. I don't know how it was, but 
just as soon as I had made this resolution I felt a 
heap better; and then I thought to myself, If I can 
catch the owl, I will carry it to Miss Truat, and then 
perhaps she will think better of me, and maybe 
let me come back to school. Then I felt happier 
still. Well, I jumped right up and got a little 
chicken from the coop and went into the bush where 
I heard the owl, and made a snare and placed the 
chicken for a bait, for I 'most knowed its cries would 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 95 

soon bring the big fellow after his breakfast ; and 
sure enough it did, for I had hardly got away from 
the snare before I heard the owl flapping his wings 
and trying to get out of it. I soon fixed up this 
cage, and here he is. You see, Miss Truat, I haven't 
ruffled his feathers at all." 

"No, indeed," replied the gratified teacher, "and 
my father will be delighted with the specimen, and 
will reward you handsomely for it too." 

"No, Miss Truat," said David, with great em- 
phasis, " I couldn't take any money for it — that 
would hurt me more than all ; I'm more than paid 
now. You see, when I first thought to bring you the 
bird, it was to keep my promise; but when I was 
fetching it here this morning to meet you and tell 
you how sorry I was for my bad conduct, it some- 
how seemed as though the owl had something to do 
with it, and I kept saying, 'Oh, you blessed owl !' I 
don't just exactly understand it ; but if you don't let 
me give you the bird, it seems as though I sha'n't be 
half .so strong to do right." 

When David had thus opened his heart, Miss 
Truat comprehended something of the workings of 
Lis better nature, which she saw would be strength- 
ened by her cordial acceptance of the proffered gift, 
^he, therefore, said : 

"Thank you, David; I will accept the bird, and 



96 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

will prize it not only because it is so fine a specimen, 
but more especially for the frank and generous spirit 
which has put it into my possession. But," she con- 
tinued, "it is time for us to be at the schoolhouse, 
and we will take our prize with us and show him to 
the scholars." 

When the children reached their homes on the 
day of the rebellion, and spread the intelligence of 
the outbreak, there were many sage remarks and 
emphatic head-shakings. " Just as I expected," said 
one. " I told you so," responded another. " How 
ridiculous for a conceited little woman to undertake 
to keep a school which has routed three strong men 
in one winter I" chimed in the third. " I should 
think, unless our committee show more sense, we 
had better get some new ones as soon as possible," 
was the remark of the small tavernkeeper, the Sir 
Oracle of the village. As for the feminine gossips, 
they were exceedingly busy and denunciatory, and 
left not a rag or tatter of Miss Truat's character 
w T hich they did not thoroughly pick and hackle. 
Some went so far as to proclaim her a downright 
witch, instancing the room full of strange birds, 
snakes, and other outlandish things which they had 
seen at her father's house, in which they affirmed 
she spent all her time. Under these circumstances, 
it is not surprising that many of the families were 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 97 

so convinced that the new teacher was a failure, if 
nothing worse, as to consider it hardly necessary to 
send their children to school on the following day ; 
and, indeed, there would have been an exceedingly 
small attendance had not the children themselves 
manifested a strong desire to be present, led there, 
most of them, by the spell of Miss Truat's kindness, 
mingled, perhaps, with a touch of curiosity to see 
what would be the results of the next day's session. 

The interview by the roadside had detained Miss 
Truat somewhat beyond the time of opening ; hence, 
when she approached the schoolhouse, most of the 
children had already arrived and were waiting, some- 
what puzzled at her delay. Some were even begin- 
ning to think that the demonstration of the day be- 
fore had really frightened her away. When, there- 
fore, they saw her and David coming up the lane 
pleasantly conversing together, the latter lugging 
his captive owl, their wonder knew T no bounds, and 
they were quite at a loss to understand the situation ; 
and well they might be — the rude assailant of yes- 
terday transformed into the confidential friend of to- 
day. And then, coming with such a companion ! 
It is not strange, taking into the account the training 
which many of the children had undergone from 
►rant and superstitious parents, whose imputa- 
tions <•!' witchcraft they had just been listening to, 
\> G 



98 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

that many curious eyes were cast at the owl in the 
box, and that he was regarded somewhat in the light 
of the witch that had brought to pass the wonderful 
reconciliation which they were now witnessing. So 
strongly did this impression take hold of some of 
the children that they were on the point of taking a 
speedy leave for home, and were only prevented by 
the cheerful voice of the teacher as she greeted them 
most cordially, and said : 

" I am sorry, children, that I am somewhat late 
this morning, so we must get at once at our lessons. 
I will try and be prompt hereafter." 

Noticing the many curious glances cast at the no- 
ble bird in David's hands, she smilingly remarked : 

" You see David and I have brought a new scholar 
this morning, to whom I will introduce you by and 
by. He is not half so wise as he looks, and would, 
no doubt, much rather try his beak on our fingers 
than learn his A B C; but I trust we shall find him 
a most interesting acquaintance before we have done 
with him. David may place him here on my table 
until we have time to give him more particular 
attention." 

This proceeding of the teacher did not seem to les- 
sen the wonder of the school, nor abate the super- 
stitious awe of the few who regarded the whole as a 
kind of wizard incantation. This feeling was not a 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 99 

little increased when they witnessed the ready obe- 
dience of David as he placed the bird where di- 
rected, then took his usual place with his face quite 
free from its accustomed cunning and determined 
look. Surely nothing but witchcraft could produce 
such a change as this. 

In calling the morning roll Miss Truat did not 
fail to notice the absence of young Olivers, but 
thought best to make no inquiries respecting him. 
Being now left alone, if he was yet determined to 
continue in his perverse ways, she felt assured that 
she would have little to fear from his influence; 
though it was her earnest hope and prayer that he 
too might follow David in the safer and happier way 
of repentance and reformation. 

The fact was that Staughton had gone home quite 
as unhappy and crestfallen as David. Being of a 
more sensitive nature, his first strong feelings were 
those of chagrin and shame at his failure and sure 
disgrace among his companions. Then came an 
overwhelming sense of his wickedness and unkind- 
ness toward his teacher, who had so evidently been 
trying to instruct and make him happy. The more 
he reviewed his conduct, the more aggravated his 
guilt appeared. In this unhappy mood he passed a 
pleas night ; and when morning came, as is often 
the case with such natures, instead of being led to 



100 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

a heart-melting repentance, like his associate, he was 
treading on the borders of a crushing despair. In- 
stead, therefore, of turning his steps toward the 
school to seek a reinstatement, he wandered off to 
the bank of the river with a half determination to 
run away to New York and go to sea, where he 
would never be heard of again. But when the time 
for final decision came, the thoughts of his poor 
widowed mother left in her loneliness kept him back 
from the fulfillment of his rash purpose, and he 
turned away from the landing to go he knew not 
where, to do he knew not what. In this frame 
of mind he wandered listlessly about until near the 
middle of the afternoon, w 7 hen, finding himself near 
the residence of Doctor Truat, he determined to go 
in, acknowledge his wrong-doing, and seek the doc- 
tor's mediation in securing a readmission to the 
school. He was perhaps aided in reaching this 
conclusion by learning during the day that his com- 
panion in evil, much to his surprise, had been seen 
entering the schoolhouse on most confidential terms 
with the teacher. Surely, he thought, if David has 
found forgiveness, I may hope to be restored to favor — 
a hope well founded, the reader will at once surmise, 
as he will see how it was realized farther on. 



I Ad, KB Ji. 




1. Red-shouldered Hawk. 

2. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 

3. Sparrow Hawk. 

4. Upland Plover. 

5. Canadian Grouse. 

6. Red Crossbill. 

7. Bine-winged Yellow Warbler 



8. Tree Sparrow. 

9. Orchard Oriol*. 

10. Black-throated Green Warbler. 

11. Red-bellied Nuthatch. 

12. White-bellied Nuthatch. 

13. Snow-bird. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

VULTURES, HAWKS, AND OWLS. 

"TT7HEX the proper hour arrived in the afternoon, 
' " Miss Truat opened her portfolio, and taking 
from it some exceedingly well-executed water-color 
drawings of the vulture tribe, said : 

"Dear children, according to my promise I will 
now tell you something more about the robber birds, 
and will begin with the largest of the class, and here 
is his picture, the famous Lammergeyer of the Alps. 
This painting I made from a magnificent specimen 
killed by an Alpine hunter when making a journey 
through Switzerland with my father. He was found 
far up the mountains, where he had his nest, and had 
proved very annoying to the farmers in the neigh- 
borhood, on whose flocks he had made occasional 
depredations. lie was so fine a bird that I not only 
painted his likeness, but also preserved him, and 
you - him natural as life when you visit my 

fatl Lection of birds. And here,'' said the 

. at the same time showing a likeness of the 
is the equal of the mon- 

9 • 101 



102 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

arch bird of the Alps, the huge Condor of the Andes 
in South America. You will see that the}' are nearly 
equal in size, and their immense strength does not 
greatly differ, though in this respect the palm is 
generally given to the American bird. You will 
notice, however, that they are quite unlike in many 
respects. The condor has a soft downy collar of 
white around his neck and a large warty crest on 
his head somewhat like the wattles of a turkey. 
The lammergeyer is destitute of these appendages, 
but instead has a tuft of bristle-like hairs grow- 
ing near the nostrils; hence he is often called the 
bearded vulture. The general color of both of these 
birds is grayish brown, varying in depth of shade at 
different periods of the bird's life, the condor being 
characterized by a white stripe down the centre of 
each quill. These birds are of immense size, their 
spread of wings ranging from ten to fifteen feet, with 
a corresponding strength, enabling them to carry off 
animals of great size, as they can pick up a goat or 
a sheep w r ith the greatest ease and carry it to their 
mountain eyrie. In habits they are much alike, 
choosing their homes on the highest peaks of the 
grand mountains where they are found. Like the 
race to which they belong, they feed by preference 
on whatever carrion may come in their way. This 
trait of character places them lower in the scale than 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 103 

the eagles which we were talking about yesterday; 
for though the eagle is so much inferior in size and 
strength, he disdains to feast on a festering carcass or 
that which another has killed. His appetite is too 
dainty, and he turns away from everything that is 
not fresh and savory. He is independent, and 
active in supplying his own wants and those of his 
family of eaglets. But the whole race of vultures 
are indolent and disgusting in their habits. They 
sit dozing on some mountain crag or old tree until 
they catch the scent of some decaying carcass, and 
then they sail off lazily to their loathsome feast, 
gorging themselves to such repletion on the putrid 
diet as to be an easy prey to the watchful hunter, 
who perhaps provided the supper expressly to take 
advantage of the vulture's gluttony and make 
him a captive. The distance at which these birds 
can smell carrion is truly wonderful. Look at this 
large nasal opening, and we can see that God has 
provided the vulture with an organ just adapted to 
his habits. In our country we have a representative 
of the family in the well-known turkey-buzzard, 
often ^L'Qn in our fields feasting on dead animals, 
but winch swarm in the South in their fields, towns, 
and cities, where they are carefully protected as 
most useful scavengers. I have often watched these 
bird-, and have been astonished to see how quickly 



104 BOYS AKD BIEDS. 

they will appear when a dead animal is left on the 
field. Before the carrion was exposed not a buz- 
zard could be seen, though the range of vision might 
be the utmost limits of the eye, but it would hardly 
be left before afar off, like a black speck in the 
heavens, the hungry birds would be seen coming 
from every direction to the banquet. The distances 
from whence they came seemed absolutely too re- 
mote for the scent to have reached them so speedily. 
But travelers in the great deserts of Africa give still 
more wonderful statements of the acute sense of 
smell in these birds. Many of these sandy wastes 
are hundreds of miles in extent, where not a tree or 
blade of grass exists to attract bird or beast. But 
let some poor horse or camel drop under his burden, 
overcome by heat and thirst, and it will be but an 
hour or two before flocks of buzzards will be tearing 
at the spoil. Whence do they come, and by whose 
guidance do they so surely find out the prey ? How 
the sharpness of their senses mocks the slow and dull 
attributes of man! It is plain that God has be- 
stowed on these ugly birds two of the senses in a de- 
gree so sharp that our gifts of smelling and sight are 
hardly worthy of a comparison. Two such wonder- 
ful faculties are enough to lift them from the low 
scale in which they would otherwise be placed. 
" But besides these redeeming traits, disgusting as 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 105 

the buzzard is in habits and repulsive to sight when 
seeking his favorite repast, he is not unattractive as 
he sails and circles around the field where it lies, 
each circle growing smaller until the bird has hit 
the centre where the animal is found. 

11 You have all seen turkey-buzzards, so I need not 
•ribe them to you further than to say that they 
make their nests on the ground under old logs, heaps 
of brush, or whatever may afford shelter and par- 
tial concealment. They lay two or three eggs of a 
creamy white, blotched and speckled, and a little 
in size than the common turkey's egg. 

" Our common turkey-buzzard is generally con- 
sidered about the lowest and most vulgar member 
of the vulture family, but to save the reputation of 
our country there is a species in California which is 
not an unworthy competitor of the giant birds of 
the Alps and Andes. In size and strength he is 
nearly equal to these foreigners, and he has similar 
habits. His peculiarity is a nearly featherless neck, 
•red with a somewhat wattled skin, spotted with 
orange and red, L r iviuL r the bird a singular appear- 
ance. His home, like that of his compeers, is among 
•ky Mountains. 

M While dead animals are the chosen food of the 
vulture trii will nevertheless, when press 

by protracted fasting, become fierce and active, and 



106 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



seize upon any stray animal which may come in their 
way, and have been known, like the eagles, to pounce 




Fig. 9. — Bearded Vulture Carrying off a Child. 

upon small children. I read of such an event occur- 
ring in Switzerland some years ago ; and as I visited 



^_ 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 107 

the scene of the disaster and learned the facts from 
those who were witnesses of the tragedy, I made a 
sketch of the scene, and here it is. (Fig. 9.) 

"The poor little victim of this bold robber was a 
little girl named Anna Zarbnchen. She was play- 
ing before the door of her father's cottage when a 
large bearded vulture made a swoop, seized the child 
by its back, and carried it off to a crag of the moun- 
tains, where it was torn to pieces and fed to the young 
vultures. A few months afterward some hunters 
found the bloody and torn clothes of the little Anna, 
and bore them to the stricken parents as sad me- 
mentoes of their lost darling. 

" From the facts we have learned we see that the 
vultures have but few qualities to recommend them 
to favor; hence we may be rather thankful than 
otherwise that we have so few of them among our 
birds, and that those we have are of the more use- 
ful kind." 

Putting up her sketches of the vultures, Miss 
Truat drew from her collection a number of the 
falcon or hawk species, and then resumed her re- 
mark- : 

"litre, children, are some of the rapacious birds 
with which you are well acquainted, as we have 
manv of them constantly in our fields and woods. 
They are variously known under the names of fal- 



108 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

cons, kites, and hawks, the last being the name by 
which we generally designate them. All together, 
there are several hundred varieties known in differ- 
ent parts of the world, most of which I have seen 
as I visited the Old World with my father. They 
are perhaps as widely distributed as any other of 
the feathered tribes, no nation being without some 
representative of the family. Their instincts and 




Fig. 10. — Sparrow-Hawk. 

habits are much the same as those possessed by the 
eagles. They avoid the loathsome diet of the vul- 
tures, always preferring a fresh victim of their own 
killing. Of course the animals they prey upon are 
proportioned to the size of the captor, and this fact 
gives a name to several varieties — fish-hawk, duck- 
hawk, hen-hawk, pigeon-hawk, and sparrow-hawk. 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 109 

Here is a beautiful specimen of the last-named bird, 
being a little less in size than the wild pigeon. 
(Fig. 10.) He is sometimes too lazy to build his 
own nest, and so takes possession of that of the crow, 
in which are deposited four creamy-white eggs, beau- 
tifully speckled and blotched. (Plate II., Fig. 3.) 

M Pretty as the sparrow-hawk is, he makes sad 
havoc with the little birds, for which we can hardly 
pardon him, though he does now and then capture a 
vagrant mouse or mole. If hungry, and no better 
game can be secured, he makes a less dainty meal 
on beetles, grasshoppers, or crickets. This hawk is 
quite tame, visiting the garden and barn-yard, where 
he will often sit perched on a stake or corner, watch- 
ing for his prey, making a very attractive sight. 
It has often been domesticated, and is capable of 
being taught many curious tricks, and to capture 
small birds, after the manner of the hunting falcons, 
once so commonly used in the old country by the 
lovers of field sports. The jerfalcon and peregrine 
falcon were the species most celebrated for hunting 
purposes, both for their speed of wing and their 
courage. They are both splendid birds, the first 
being marked very much like David's snowy owl, 
the plumage a handsome blending of black and 
white. This bird was very much sought after by 
the nobility of Europe, and almost fabulous prices 

in 



110 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

paid for a well-trained specimen. This fact led to 
a class of men who devoted their time to the train- 
ing and government of these birds, who found it no 
unprofitable business. The task was slow and labor- 
ious, requiring a constant resort to the fields, and 
to the experience of many bitter disappointments, 
from the disposition of the falcons to return to their 
native freedom when once loosened from the hands 
of their trainers. The game for whose capture they 
were used, included the various classes of water- 
fowls, herons, and the hares and rabbits on the 
moors. 

"The jerfalcons are found in all northern lati- 
tudes, and visit our locality only during the winter 
season, and then only in small numbers; hence they 
are seldom seen. The peregrine falcon is more com- 
mon, and yet not so plenty as to make him very fa- 
miliar. I have brought fine drawings of each of 
these birds ; and if you will examine them closely, 
you will easily recognize any of the living species 
when you see them. 

" But can any of you tell me what kind of a bird 
this is?" said the teacher as she held forth a fine 
specimen of the red-tailed hawk. 

" A hen-hawk," shouted a number of the scholars. 

" Yes, children, that is the name by which he is 
most commonly known among us, and certainly most 



BOYS AND BIRDS. Ill 

worthily bestowed, for he makes quite too frequent 
visits to our poultry-yards. Nevertheless, he is a 
very handsome bird, and makes a pretty picture 
when sailing over head or perched on the limb of 
some dead tree watching for his dinner. This kind 
of hawk remains with us fehe year round, and boldly 
makes his presence known by a frequent repetition 
of his sharp kae, kae, kae I which is sure to call forth 
the warning note of the ever-watchful guardian of 
the chicken-yard, at which the whole brood take 
refuge under the nearest shed or hiding place. 

" The Sharp-shinned hawk is not so large nor so 
destructive as the hen-hawk, though now and then 
levying a tax of a chicken or two. These birds, like 
most of the hawk tribes, build their nests in the tops 
of tall trees, mostly using for the purpose sticks and 
coarse weeds, with a little grass for a lining. The 
eggs are mostly laid in pairs, and are nearly spheri- 
cal, of a bluish white, more or less blotched and 
speckled with brown. Here are fine specimens of 
their eggs, and they are very pretty indeed. (Plate 
II., Figs. 1, 2.) The hen-hawk's egg is much the 
largest, but in shape and coloring they are quite 
alike. Perhaps we may be able before the season 
closes to get a fresh specimen or two to add to our 
school cabinet. 

"All along our sea-shore the beautiful Fish-hawk 



112 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

is found, and so perfectly harmless that he is care- 
fully protected by the inhabitants. He makes no 
demands on the chicken-yard or duck-pond, but lives 
entirely on the fish, which he captures with great 
skill. His nests can be seen all along the coasts of 
New Jersey and Maryland. They are large, and 
built of sticks in the tops of old trees, but often 
quite near the ground. Indeed, if a shore farmer 
wants a brood on his lands, he has only to set up a 
platform of a few old rails, and in a short time a 
pair of birds will take possession and occupy it for 
years, seeming to understand that it was intended 
for their use. These handsome and harmless birds 
are never killed or disturbed except by the cruel and 
thoughtless. 

" But, children, I will now show you one of the 
strangest birds of my collection, usually classed 
among the falcons, but having such distinct charac- 
teristics as should entitle him to a family distinction. 
Here he is, with a great snake in his mouth. He 
is called the Secretary Bird because of the long 
feathers on the back of his head, as though, like a 
clerk, he had stuck them there while attending to 
some other matters. (Fig. 11.) 

" This strange bird is a native of Southern Africa, 
a region infested with snakes, many of them of the 
most venomous kind, and God seems to have pro- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



113 



vided this strange creature to lessen the danger of 
their presence, for he lives almost exclusively on 




Fi.i. il.— Tht Secretary 

is lit- at all dainty as to the species; 
venomous or harmless, they arc alike acceptable to 
petite. For this useful habit the secretary bird 
W II 



114 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

is highly prized, as the buzzard is with us, by the 
Dutch colonists of the Cape of Good Hope. They 
often capture thera when young, and rear them 
around their houses and barns as protectors against 
venomous serpents, lizards, rats, and other vermin, 
which they destroy in immense numbers. 

"When in South Africa, myself and father wit- 
nessed a very curious combat between the secretary 
bird and a large snake of the most poisonous kind. 
We were making some explorations one day near the 
base of a mountain range, when our attention was 
attracted by a large bird in the distance making the 
most strange antics. It would make quick jumps 
into the air, bend and bow, stretch out its long wings, 
and step quickly around a small circle in the most' 
energetic manner. We were so interested that we 
made our way cautiously toward the place, and were 
enabled to approach very near to the scene, as the 
bird was so much engaged as to pay no attention to 
us. When near enough, we at once recognized the 
bird as the secretary, and saw that he was waging a 
fierce warfare with his dreadful foe, which seemed to 
be equally in earnest and intent on victory. The 
serpent stood at bay, with its head swollen with rage 
and mouth wide open, the poisonous fangs ready to 
do their fatal work. But the bird too well under- 
stood the character of the foe he was contending 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 115 

with to give him any fatal advantage. With one of 
its large strong wings spread before it as a shield, 
presenting only its bloodless feathers to receive the 
fangs of the serpent, the bird kept up its jumps and 
circling movements until a favorable moment; then, 
with a sudden dash of its strong wing, it struck the 
snake to the earth, and before it could recover 
pounced upon it with beak and claws, giving it fear- 
ful wounds. This was done repeatedly, and each 
time the secretary would leap from its foe before it 
had sufficiently recovered to coil around it and in- 
flict the fatal bite. By these repeated onslaughts 
the serpent was finally overcome and devoured. 
Here you see in the picture the victor with his vic- 
tim hanging lifeless in his beak. How useful these 
birds are may be learned from the statement of a 
naturalist who carefully examined the stomach of a 
secretary bird, in which he found three snakes as 
long as his arm, eleven lizards, eleven small turtles, 
ides numberless locusts, grasshoppers, beetles, and 
insects. Knowing these facts, it may be regretted 
that BO valuable a bird cannot be naturalized in our 
country, where he would no doubt be very useful in 
ridding us of some of our annoyances. 

" But we must leave this class of birds and pay a 
little attention to David's owl, which we have kept 
a long time waiting for his introduction to you. 



116 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

"The birds we have been talking about this after- 
noon are called diurnal, because they have sharp 
eyes and seek their food wholly in the daytime ; 
but those we shall further examine to-day are desig- 
nated as nocturnal birds, because they employ the 
night for their depredations, for which purpose they 
have eyes especially adapted. Look at this fine 
bird which David captured last night in the grove 
near his home. You will notice that his eyes are 
large and round, like a cat's eyes, and, like pussy, he 
has the power of contracting the pupil of the eye, so 
as to take in more or less light to suit his purpose. 
This is the case with all the owl family. With the 
exception of the snowy owl and the hawk owl, who 
do go abroad in the daytime, though preferring the 
night season, the owls are nocturnal birds, shunning 
the light as though it were painful to them. If 
their eyes are examined when the light is strong, 
the pupil will be found nearly covered, only a little 
black perpendicular line indicating its existence. 
If we now wrap a white sheet around our shoulders, 
we can approach so near as to grasp them with the 
hand, in which manner I once captured a fine speci- 
men of the barn owl. These birds, though not so 
plenty in our neighborhood, are widely scattered 
over the country, and are among the tamest of the 
race. They delight in living around barns or old 




Boys and Birds. 



Page 117. 



Fig. 12.— Barn Owl and Nest. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



117 



deserted buildings, where they build their nests in 
any convenient hole or crevice, and lay from two to 
three eggs of a nearly white cast, and oftentimes of 
a singularly rough surface. (Fig. 12.) 

" When hatched out, the young owlets are exceed- 
ingly odd-looking little fellows, peeping out of the 
nests at any disturbance with a wise and comical 
expression. Here is a picture of three little fellows, 
as I once saw them 
peeping from their 
nest in an old syca- 
more." (Fig. 13.) 

The children were 
much amused at these 
pictures, greeting the 
last with a hearty 
laugh, which the 
teacher did not seek 
to repress, and which 
quite as much surprised the scholars as did the birds. 
Such outbreaks had uniformly been visited with 
sharp rebukes and severe punishments, and they 
now wondered that under any circumstances they 
could be allowed to laugh right out in school. But 
the indulgence only served to endear the teacher 
to their hearts and convince them that school could 
be a happy place. 




13. — Young Owlets. 



118 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" The Snowy Owl and the Barn Owl are much alike 
in marking and color of feathers/' resumed the 
teacher. "The noble bird which David has cap- 
tured and most kindly presented to me is mostly 
found in the colder regions of the North, and only 
visits us a short time during the winter, very seldom 
remaining so late in the season as this one has done. 
Notice how soft and downy his feathers are, extend- 
ing more to the wings than any other of the rapa- 
cious birds. This provision enables the owl to make 
a soft and noiseless flight, and thus the more readily 
to approach his sleeping prey, which would be 
awakened if his wing had the sharp whirr of the 
harder and more rapid wings of the eagle and the 
hawk. 

" But now I have been talking a long while, and 
would like to know if any of my scholars can name 
any owls which I have not mentioned ; if so, speak 
right out and give their names. ,, 

This appeal pleased the children very much, and 
they were not slow in responding; so one cried out, 
" Hoot owl ;" another, " Screech owl ;" and still a 
third, " Big-eared owl." 

"That is very good, indeed," responded the 
teacher ; " you know something about birds as well 
as I do, and here are pictures of the birds you have 
named. These birds are often found in our woods, 



^ 







Boys and Birds. Page 119. 

Fig. 14.— Long Eared Owl. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 119 

where the Great Owl makes himself known by his 
loud and well-known cry, which, heard in a still 
night when passing alone through the woods, may 
well be a little startling: Ca-hoo ! Ca-lwo ! Ca- 
huo-o-ooo ! The little Screech Owl, the smallest of 
the family, is a noisy denizen of our woods, whose 
tremulous and protracted cry is often heard around 
our houses at night, and is not at all conducive to 
sleep nor quite so harmonious as to make us wish for 
irs long continuance. The Long-eared Owl is more 
rare, but still quite common, and a splendid bird, as 
are several others found in various parts of our 
country, and which we have not time to particularly 
describe ; so I will close our afternoon's talk by 
telling you of a fright I once had in an Arkansas 
canebrake. (Fig. 14.) 

u Passing one spring through that state when the 
waters had overflowed the banks of the river and 
spread out many miles, we were compelled to spend 
the night encamped on a small mound in one of its 
immense canebrakes. We found a large dry cotton- 
wood tree which had fallen, and soon had a blazing 
fire to camp by. Not being used to such rough 
lodgings, the circumstances made me feel a little 
nervous and timid ; but being weary, I was soon in a 
sound Bleep. How long I remained thus I do not 
remember, but I was aroused and startled by the 



120 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

most hideous combination of screams and hoots, near 
and far, that I ever listened to. I imagined that I 
heard cries of distress, shrieks of murder, shouts of 
battle, groans and hisses, until, in a perfect tremor 
of terror, I rushed to my father's side, aud alarmed 
him by the rudeness with which I clung to him. 
After being awakened and listening for a short time, 
he said : 

" ' Why, my daughter, were you born in the woods 
to be scared by a concert of owls V 

" It seems that the light of our fire had attracted 
the whole generation of owls, big and little, and they 
were filling the tops of the canes and the few trees 
that stood on the mound, and were giving us the full 
benefit of their musical powers. So you see, chil- 
dren, I am not the bravest woman in the world, for 
I really was terribly scared at an owl. 

" But now, trusting that you have enjoyed the day 
as much as I have, we will say good-bye, and then 
let us all try and carry our happiness home with us ; 
be happy and make happy are the great lessons of 
life." 



CHAPTER IX. 

MISS TOST LOOKING AFTER THE WITCHES. 

THE gossip and surmises which the outbreak at 
the school had caused were as nothing in com- 
parison to the excitement raised in the district when 
the children reported the proceedings of the day, de- 
scribed in the last chapter. So generally had the 
conclusion been reached that the young Arabs were 
again triumphant and the new teacher a failure 
that the busybodies were wholly unprepared for the 
strange and unexpected turn which another day had 
brought forth. The defiant rebel of one day the 
confidential pupil of the next! The scholar that 
most rudely trampled on authority changed to the 
9t obedient one in school, and that without any 
apparent cause for the wonderful transition ! Dave 
rocker and Miss Truat going to school together 
carrying a big owl between them! 

"If that isn't witchcraft/ 1 said Achsa Yost, "then 
I don't know beans when the bag is untied; and it 
just proves what I told the squire when I gave him 
a piece of my mind for bringing that saucy, stuck- 
up minx into our district. 9 ' 

11 121 



122 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

Miss Yost, as she was still called by courtesy, was 
an ancient maiden, living in the neighborhood, who, 
having no particular business of her own, made her- 
self exceedingly busy with the affairs of her neigh- 
bors. A kind of human telegraph, only on a more 
liberal scale, dispatching the gossip with a restless 
activity fully compensated if she could only be the 
first to give it color and currency, Miss Yost was 
one of the most diligent of newsvenders, as she was 
one of the most ignorant and superstitious. She had 
plied her vocation so long in the neighborhood that 
the time of her advent had almost faded from the 
mind of the oldest inhabitant. But it is best to let 
her have her say, and so we will listen to her budget 
as she dispenses her store, seated in a circle of con- 
genial listeners : 

"Yes, indeed, I did ; I spoke my mind right out, 
and I think it is high time, with sich wicked doings 
on hand. Why, I just knew what that wicked hussy 
was going to do, for you must know that I passed 
by old Doctor Truat's the other day, and thinks I, 
I'll just peep in and see what I can see. And what 
do you suppose I found out? Why, none on you 
could guess in a thousand times, and so I'll tell you : 
in a room full of great big awful-looking beasts, 
birds, and snakes was that Miss Truat right on her 
knees praying to an awful-looking bird with a bill 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 123 

big enough to swallow you. There she was stroking 
its nasty feathers just as you would a cat's back. 
1 Ah/ said I, ' there's mischief brewing ; the broora- 
sticks'll be flying through the air to-night, ami 
plenty of sour milk in the morning.' Well, I went 
right off and told Melissa Van Blaricum, didn't I, 
Melissa?" said Miss Yost, appealing to this buxom 
lady, who happened to be present, and who was 
prompt to confirm the statement. 

" Xo, no !" emphatically responded Miss Yost, when 
one suggested that Miss Truat was probably only ad- 
justing some of her specimens of birds; "she was 
right down on her knees, true in earnest, selling her- 
self to the evil one. I felt sure something would 
happen ; and to be downright certain, that night I 
turned my tea-grounds in my cup, and what do you 
think I saw? Why, just as plain as you are setting 
there, up turns a real witch and a great big owl 
Btaring right at me. And now you'll b'lieve I'm 
right, for Sarah Schoonmaker saw Dave Overocker, 
who went stomping out'n school only yesterday, and 
Miss Truat lugging that owl to school this morning; 
and BO I watched them, and saw them carrying it home 
3 afternoon. Now, Tin not going to allow any sich 
doings, and so my duty is plain. I shall just go 
right over to Betsey Overocker and tell her, if she 
don't want her son clean bewitched by the evil one, 



124 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

she'd better take him out'n that bedlam woman's 
hands pesky soon." 

"Indeed, so I say/' added Miss Van Blaricum ; 
" and I can tell you more : our old black cat mewed 
three times last night and looked right straight up the 
chimney. I told mother something was in the wind, 
and soon as I had said that a great owl hooted three 
times in the woods close by our house, and Neighbor 
Smith's old dog gave a terrible long howl, and 'tain't 
in reason that all these signs should happen with- 
out meaning something." 

" Now, just listen to that," said Miss Yost, with an 
emphasis; "I guess we can tell how Dave Overocker 
is changed so mighty quick, and so I'd better be 
about my business, or he'll be clean given to the old 
Scratch." 

Intent on her mission, Miss Yost sought the home 
of David, where she found him and his mother, to 
whom he had just been giving the incidents already 
set before the reader, and they were rejoicing to- 
gether over the good resolutions which the son had 
made. 

"Well, Mrs. Overocker," began the visitor, "I've 
come on an errand of mercy and kindness, and I'm 
glad that you and David are together." 

"I'm sure we are both much obliged," responded 
the mother. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 125 

" Nothing but duty to our feller-creters," contin- 
ued Miss Yost, " would tempt me to meddle with the 
affairs of my neighbors; but you see I can't see your 
son quite ruined and not faithfully give you warn- 

big." 

M I'm very sorry," said Mrs. Overocker, " that my 
has been so rude and vicious ; but I hope he has 
been led to reflection and repentance, and is deter- 
mined to do better hereafter, and I trust those 
whom he has offended will kindly overlook his past 
conduct." 

"Ah, Betsey," continued the busybody, "that's just 
where the danger lies. He's bewitched by that 
hussy of a teacher, and you don't know it. Why, 
don't you know that she is a witch and deals with 
the old Scratch in the shape of a great big owl ? If 
you don't, it's time you had your eyes open, for it's 
just as true as preaching. Oh, I shudder when I 
think of it ; but this very day your son carried that 
terrible owl to school, and I guess he'd a-dropped it 
mighty quick if he'd a-knowed just what he was 
carrying." 

When Miflfi Yost had ended her alarming state- 

: it, David, though a believer in ghosts and witches, 

could not resist the impulse to burst into a most 

hearty laugh at the absurdities of the intermeddler, 

which only served to render the credulous woman 

11 * 



126 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

more earnest in her warnings of impending danger. 
She, being all the while ignorant of the manner of 
the owPs capture and of David's part in the trans- 
actions to which she had referred, could only regard 
his conduct as strong confirmation of his being be- 
witched, while to him her conduct was the most ab- 
surd, amounting almost to proof that she must at 
least be half crazy. 

" There, Mrs. Overocker !" she exclaimed ; " don't 
you see how powerful the spell is ? Did David ever 
act so audaciously before as to laugh right in my 
face when I was a-talking to you? You may de- 
pend on't, Miss Truat has got him right in her 
clutches ; and if you don't break the spell pretty 
soon, he's a poor lost boy, that's all I've got to say, 
and my skirts is clean of his gore. If you'll take 
my advice — and I don't ask you nothing for't, either 
— you'll make him say the Lord's Prayer three times 
and put a Bible under his head, and that, I guess, 
will make Miss Truat mount her broomstick and 
scud to hum with her ugly owl." 

David's mother was fully indoctrinated with the 
superstitions of the day and region where she lived ; 
but having a full understanding of the facts which 
had been so absurdly perverted by her visitor, she 
could hardly resist joining in the laugh with her son, 
nor did she fail to see the ignorance and meddlesome 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 127 

character of her would-be adviser; but restraining 
her merriment, she said : 

" Well, I think it is true that the new teacher has 
bewitched my son in some way." 

"Oh, I'm glad you know it," quickly responded 
the gossip: k ' I thought you couldn't be so blinded ; 
and so, I suppose, I needn't trouble myself any fur- 
ther in your affairs, for you'll not let David go to that 
witch's den any more, of course?" 

"Oh, certainly I shall," replied Mrs. Overocker, 
" for her influence over my son is so gratifying that 
I should be exceedingly sorry to have the spell 
broken." 

At this quite unexpected statement the little yel- 
low-gray eyes of Miss Yost opened to an unusual 
ree, and with raised hands and wonder-bespeak- 
ing countenance she exclaimed : 

11 Why, Betsey Overocker, you must be clean be- 
witched yourself, or you wouldn't give your only son 

Satan in spite of such plain warning"." 

At this juncture David thought it time to set 
matters right in the mind of Miss Yost ; so address- 
ing her, he said : 

• Y^es, I am under the spell of the new teacher, 
and hope to remain BO until I'm wiser and better, 
which will be the only results of her bewitching; 
and to let you see, Miss Yost, how mistaken you 



128 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

are about her character, let me tell you that I soared 
the owl last night which you are so alarmed about, 
and gave it to her this morning when I went to ask 
her to forgive me for my rudeness. She loves birds, 
and has spent her life in studying their habits and 
painting their likenesses, and is going to tell us 
about them, and the children are all delighted with 
her. She's no more of a witch than you are, and so 
you need not be alarmed for my safety, if her influ- 
ence is the only danger I'm exposed to." 

When David had finished his statements, Miss 
Yost began to realize that she had started on a 
wrong scent this time, but the shock was a sudden 
one, and it was a most reluctant yielding for her to 
give up the conviction that Miss Truat belonged to 
the sisterhood of witches. It brought her mission 
to a sudden close, and she returned rather crestfallen 
at losing so rich a theme for her meddlesome tongue. 
It had one good effect, however : it kept her for a 
few days from plying her vocation, as even her fer- 
tile mind could invent no explanation for so palpa- 
ble a case of misconception and detraction. 

But let us return to the teacher and her proceed- 
ings after the close of her school. 

When she and David entered the gate of her 
home and met her father, who had been awaiting 
her coming with some anxiety, he was not a little 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 129 

surprised at her company, and exclaimed, wonder- 
ingly : 

' k Why, my daughter, I thought I had a great 
surprise in store for you, but I think you have one 
yet more astonishing for me. Is not this the young 
lad that you told me so rudely interrupted your 
school yesterday ?" 

11 Yes, father, the same, but it gives me great plea- 
sure to say that he has frankly confessed his wrong 
and promises now to be one of my best scholars ; 
and see what a splendid peace-offering he has 
brought me ! Is it not the finest snowy owl you ever 
saw ? AVe have had him at school to-day, and have 
made good use of him, and now David insists that 
I shall keep him as a memento of his determination 
to do right and my full forgiveness of his error." 

" Ah I' 1 replied the father ;"Iam very glad to hear 
your statement, and most cordially add my thanks 
for his kindness to you and for the possession of so 
rare a bird ; and be assured, my boy," said the doc- 
turning to David, "that it will ever afford me 
the pleasure to aid my daughter in any of 

her efforts for your improvement and welfare. Do 
not hesitate to come to me for assistance and coun- 
!• you may stand in need of either." 

Thanking the doctor for his kind interest and offers, 
lit of the gate, feeling a happiness 
I 



130 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

beyond all former experiences, and with a new acces- 
sion of strength to help him on in the newly-chosen 
way. 

When David had departed, Miss Truat turned to 
her father and asked what good news he had in store 
to surprise her with. 

" Why, first," he replied, " our friend, poor Jim, 
has been with me nearly all day, and I have given 
his case a careful examination, the result of which 
strongly confirms me in my hopes of greatly miti- 
gating his infirmity. In the mean time, I have been 
giving him a few lessons in manners, trying to cor- 
rect his awkward see-sawing and disposition to thrust 
out his arm, in which I have succeeded above my 
expectations. He already seems to comprehend 
what is intended, and with perseverance I am cer- 
tain these habits can be reformed. We must see if 
we cannot induce him also to cease his unmeaning 
sing-song, or at least give it a more musical and sen- 
sible pitch. I have already discovered that he is 
peculiarly susceptible to kind treatment, of which 
he evidently has but little experience, and will do 
anything for those who thus manifest an interest in 
him. In return for the small favors I have be- 
stowed, he has been vigorously splitting w T ood all the 
afternoon, and is now busy cleaning out the stable. 
In these matters he has shown such capacity for 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 131 

usefulness as to induce me to solicit the consent of 
his parents to let him remain with us, as affording 
both you and me better opportunities to advance his 
cure and improvement, feeling assured that he can 
do quite enough to compensate for any charges we 
may incur. If you approve my plan, we will ride 
over to the swamp this evening, and see what his 
parents will say to our proposal. " 

" Why, father/' replied the daughter, " I am very 
much pleased with your proposition, and will enter 
into your plans most heartily. It will be a blessed 
success if we can do no more than mitigate the con- 
dition of the poor unfortunate." 

Just as the daughter finished her sentence, Jim 
came from the barn, and as soon as he noticed Miss 
Truat he began his usual see-saw T motion, which the 
doctor immediately arrested by taking Jim by the 
shoulder and then straightening himself up. The 
poor simpleton seemed at once to comprehend, for 
with a jerk he stood at his full height, at the same 
time saying : 

u Jim knows." 

Miss Truat greeted him most cordially, and then 
he was dismissed to his home with a good supply of 
provisions for himself and his parents. When Jim 
had departed, the doctor said : 

"But, my daughter, I have not given you the par- 



132 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

ticular incident that I supposed would cause you 
most surprise. I have had another visitor to-day, 
who came to secure my special services to obtain 
your favorable consideration." 

" Well, father, you certainly do surprise me that 
any one should so highly esteem any consideration 
of mine, and I am anxious to learn to whom I can 
be so serviceable." 

" He told me," replied the doctor, " that his name 
was Staughton Chivers, and that he was one of the 
pupils who were guilty of disorder yesterday. He 
seemed very sorry for his wrong-doing, and prom- 
ises, if you will allow him to return to school, to be 
obedient and try earnestly to profit by your instruc- 
tions. I was much interested in the lad, and told 
him that he might return to school to-morrow, as I 
felt sure that you would most cordially restore him 
to favor. So, you see, I am interested in the case, 
as my reputation for parental influence is at stake." 

" Dear father, your information is truly a most 
agreeable surprise. The only drawback to this day's 
experience was the thought that this lad might not 
be led, like David, who has just left us, to see his 
error, and I have been considering what plan w T ould 
be most likely to secure such a happy result. Being 
thus unexpectedly and happily relieved from my 
anxiety, I shall most gladly redeem all your pledges 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 133 

of restored favor ; and now it occurs to me that, as 
his home is in the way to Jim's cabin, we may call 
on his mother, who is the widow of a pensioner, and 
relieve him from any embarrassment by giving him 
assurance of our happiness at his resolve to enter 
upon a better course of life." 

"Very well, my daughter; after tea w r e will take 
the pony and make our calls." 

It is only necessary to add that these visits re- 
sulted most satisfactorily. Staughton w r as restored 
to the school and arrangements were made for poor 
Jim to become an inmate of Doctor Truat's family. 

Thus in one week the Arab district had been 
brought under a control unknown for years, and 
Miss Truat assured that her attempts to accomplish 
the task would not be an addition to the failures of 
the past. With her the only questions now were 
how T best to improve the advantages which had been 
already gained and secure a yet stronger hold of the 
affections and attention of her pupils. As the use 
of her knowledge of birds had resulted so happily, 
she resolved to continue to employ her resources in 
this department of natural history as a regular part 
of her instruction, and it will be to this section of 
her efforts that special attention will continue to be 
paid in the succeeding pages. 

12 



CHAPTER X. 

WOODPECKERS AND CUCKOOS. 

WHILE on her way to school the following day, 
Miss Truat was met by her two reconciled 
pupils, David and Staughton, who gave her the first 
intimation of her reported extensive dealings in 
witchcraft — intelligence which, while its absurdity 
excited a hearty fit of laughter, nevertheless very 
much annoyed her. In answer to her inquiries, 
David gave a detailed account of Miss Yost's med- 
dlesome visitation and the manner in which he had 
corrected her misapprehensions. But the impression 
had extended to other families and still remained as 
their fixed belief, and this was most vexatious ; and 
how to remove the foolish conception was no less 
perplexing. Feeling unable to reach any satisfac- 
tory solution of the question, she concluded to defer 
all action until a consultation with her father, fur- 
ther than to request David and Staughton to explain 
the matter of the owl and their restoration to the 
school, and then applied herself to the duties of the 
134 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 135 

day, in which she was soon so absorbed as to forget 
Miss Yost and her gossiping companions. 

As they approached the schoolhouse they were 
met by young Van Gilder, who most heartily con- 
gratulated his two former associates on their deter- 
mination to join him in efforts to make better im- 
provement of their time and opportunities. With 
mutual pledges to be leaders henceforth in that 
which was right, as they had been in the wrong, they 
once more entered the school banded together. 

The happy omen of the morning gave a new zest 
to the work of the day, so that both teacher and pu- 
pils experienced something of the pleasantness of 
wisdom's ways, and the result was a corresponding 
progress in the studies to which they gave their at- 
tention. These will not be given in detail, but the 
reader will be introduced at once to the afternoon's 
conversation about birds. 

When the teacher was ready for the promised 

treat, she called attention to a noise which had been 

repeated many times during the day in the grove 

back of the schoolhouse, somewhat similar to a per- 

striking sharp, quick blows with a hammer. 

"Children," said she, "can any of you tell me 
what makes that tapping noise we have so often 
heard in the grove?" 

u Woodpeckers," shouted a dozen or more voices. 



136 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" Yes, that is correct ; and can you tell me how 
they make the noise ?" was the farther inquiry. 

" They are pecking the trees with their bills," was 
the ready rejoinder. 

"Right; and why do they do that?" 

" To get worms," said some ; " To make holes for 
nests," responded others. 

" That is very good ; both statements are correct," 
was Miss Truat's reply; "and I am glad to find that 
some of you have used your eyes so well and learned 
so much about woodpeckers. But now let me see if 
I cannot ask a question about them that you will not 
be so ready to answer : How many toes has a wood- 
pecker on each foot, and how are they placed ?" 

This was a poser, and various guess answers were 
given to the question, only one of which was right, 
and that was made by David, who had shot so many 
that he could hardly have failed to notice the pecu- 
liarities sought after. 

u Yes, David is right ; they have four toes, two 
before and two behind, from which fact they are 
called Scansores, or climb in g birds, and are generally 
placed as a distinct order. This curious formation is 
found in only three other species of birds, the cuck- 
oos, parrots, and trogons ; hence they have been as- 
signed a place in the same general family, though in 
other respects quite different in habits and character. 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 137 

"This afternoon I shall tell you something about 
two of the varieties, woodpeckers and cuckoos, leav- 
ing parrots for another time, as I think they deserve 
a separate notice. Besides, I have some fine living 
birds which I wish to show you. 

"There are two or three things, children, which 
we must especially notice in woodpeckers as strik- 
ingly showing the wisdom of God in fitting each 
creature with organs exactly adapted to its condi- 
tion. Here is a picture of the great Plicated Wood- 
pecker, one of the largest and finest in America. (Fig. 
15.) See with what a long, stout, and sharp bill he 
is boring into the trunk of the old tree to which he 
clings so closely. 

" Now, when we remember that the food of wood- 
peckers mainly consists of insects and worms w T hich 
breed and live burrowed in wood, and that they have 
to make holes many inches in depth for their nests, 
we can see that God gave them just such a bill as 
best serves their purposes. Had it been crooked, like 
the rapacious birds, or made short and blunt, as in 
most birds, they would have a hard time of it, and 
perhaps could not have existed at all. Then, to use 
their long bills to any purpose, they must have a hard- 
er, thicker skull and stronger muscles, and so God 
provided them with just such organs. A few such 
blows as they give on a hard tree would kill most 
1 2 



138 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 




Fig. 15.— Pikated Woodpecker. 

other birds by breaking their beaks or skulls, but 
the woodpecker will hammer away all day long and 
never seems to have a sore head for his pains. Open 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 139 

a woodpecker's mouth, and you will find another 
arrangement to wonder at. Here is the head of one 
which I have preserved for the purpose of illustra- 
tion. The tongue, you see, is capable of being pro- 
truded to a long distance, and is nicely barbed at 
the end by a number of little teeth turned backward. 
Now, the use of this is to draw forth the prey from 
its concealment. The bird makes a straight round 
hole down to where the grub lies, then spears him 
with this bearded tongue, and out he comes. This 
saves him the work of making an opening nearly as 
large as the worm, as we have to do when we seek 
them for bait. 

4k Now let us notice the toes of our specimen. In 
searching for his food the bird must necessarily run 
up and down the tree on which he is seeking, some- 
what like a squirrel, and must have feet fitted for the 
purpose. Look at the toes of this pileated wood- 
pecker. You see they are long, armed with sharp 
hooked claws, and turned two forward and two back- 
ward, two to hold and two to brace and support him. 
, also, the peculiar formation of the tail and 
the use made of it. It is short and pointed, the 
quills being strong and covered with sharp firing 
that serve the same purpose as claws, penetrating the 
id and thus forming a strong brace. Thus pro- 
vided, the bird is enabled to run up and down the 



140 BOYS AND BIEDS. 

tree, or to hold on to its side for hours as he works 
away at the hole which is to serve for a nest. Most 
of the species, when they wish to descend a tree, do 
so backward, not being able to turn their heads 
downward, like the creepers and nuthatches, about 
which we shall learn something hereafter. The ex- 
ceptions are the little downy woodpecker and one 
or two others of the smaller ones, which run up and 
down or around the tree with equal facility. 

" Having looked a little at the general habits of 
the woodpeckers, let us examine more particularly a 
few of the varieties, especially those which are so 
common in our woods, some of which are entertain- 
ing us all day long in the neighboring grove with 
their shrill brisk notes or hollow tappings as they 
search out their food. 

" The great Pileated Woodpecker, whose picture we 
have before us, is one of the largest and most bril- 
liant of the species, surpassed only by the ivory-billed 
variety, rarely seen here, but very common farther 
south. His general color is a greenish black, with 
splashes of white or pale yellow. But you will at 
once admire his splendid scarlet crest. It is in re- 
pose in our picture, but the live bird, when excited, 
has the power to erect the feathers w T hich compose the 
crown, and then it has a grand appearance, like the 
plumage on a soldier's helmet. This noble bird is 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 141 

found in all the northern states, inhabiting the deep 
woods and making occasional excursions to the new 
clearings, where the old girdled trees furnish him 
with a rich harvest of fat grubs. It is curious to 
watch him when thus busy, he works with so much 
energy. His great strength euables him to tear off 
large pieces of bark and wood, which he flings 
about with perfect recklessness, soon covering the 
ground with his chips. In making his nest he se- 
lects some old dead tree or limb, underneath which 
he makes a perfectly round hole, carrying it in for 
several inches, when it is turned dowmvard for 
eighteen or twenty more. When nearly completed, 
the last fine chips are reserved to form the bottom 
of the nest, on which are deposited five or six large 
white eggs having a singular translucent appearance. 
" The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is somewhat larger, 
but in many respects very much like the one just 
described. The main difference is in the white, ivory- 
looking bill which gives his name, and a light stripe 
down the neck. As these birds predominate in the 
extremes of our country, the pileated in the North 
and the ivory-bill in the South, and as we occupy 
the neutral ground of the class, we are occasionally 
favored by a visitation from both. To-day I recog- 
nized the voice of our northern visitor among those 
who have favored us with their music. 



142 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" Ah ! but here is the most brilliant one of all the 
tribes, the well-known and admired Red-headed Wood- 
pecker, dressed like a soldier for a parade day in his 
best uniform — scarlet head, black coat, and white 
small-clothes. We all know and welcome him. Oh 
how he loves cherries, mulberries, and sweet apples, 
and will have his share of them from our orchards. 
With some this has brought Master Redhead into 
much disrepute ; but we have many apologies to 
make for him. His beauty and cheerfulness are so 
enjoyable that we can well afford a liberal share of 
our good things to induce him to remain in our fields. 
As it is but for a short season of the year that he 
lays a tax upon our orchards and corn-fields, while 
for the other long months he is working for our ben- 
efit, he deserves a full pardon for his transgressions. 
Like the rest of his kiud, he looks to the hidden 
stores of insects and their eggs for his main support, 
and bill and tongue are busy in searching them out. 
Boys, spare the red-headed woodpeckers. 

" But, see, on the old chestnut tree near the win- 
dow is the smallest, most numerous, and familiar of 
the climbers — the pert little Downy Woodpecker, so 
called from a small strip of soft feathers extending 
down the entire back. Speckled, black, and white, 
with a little touch of red on the crown, it is a 
pretty little intruder into our gardens and orchards. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 143 

Here it selects some dead limb of an apple or pear 
tree, excavates its nest, the interior of which it pol- 
ishes as smoothly as though done by a cabinet-ma- 
ker, lays its six pure white eggs, and rears its little 
family, chirping and cheerful all the while. Who 
does not love to watch its nervous hopping up and 
down and around the tree, tapping here and there to 
find out the hiding-place of the coveted worm ? and 
when found, how soon the barbed tongue draws him 
from concealment ! The downy woodpecker is not 
only one of the most cheerful and tamest of our 
feathered visitors, but one of the most useful also. 
Some have given him a bad reputation by confound- 
ing him with another species, accusing him of the 
high crime of killing our young fruit trees by de- 
stroying the tender bark. The real culprit is the 
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, or sap-sucker. This bird 
is somewhat marked, like our little friend, but the 
yellow belly and white stripe down the head and 
neck at once distinguish him. There is a marked 
difference, however, which must not be overlooked, 
nor its evidence set aside. The tongue in this case 
tells the truth when the testimony of the feathers 
may be equivocal. Compel the sap-sucker to show 
his tongue, and it will be found without a barb, and 
he is scarcely able to protrude it beyond the point 
of his bill. H< j doea not live on worms, hut bores 



144 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the tree for the tender bark and gummy juices. This 
being the fixed reputation of the sap-sucker, it is a 
fortunate circumstance that he is not near so com- 
mon as the downy woodpecker. 

" As a special plea for the downy woodpecker, it 
may be stated that it is the most industrious destroyer 
of that pest of our orchards, the apple-moth. A 
close observer has stated that the most thrifty trees 
in the orchard will be those bearing most marks of 
the downy woodpecker; if this is true — and there 
appears reason for the statement — it should be a high 
offence to kill one of these little birds, a cruelty of 
which I hope none of my scholars will be guilty. 

" We have about thirty species of woodpeckers in 
North America, many of them but little varied from 
each other, hence we need not stop to particularize 
further than to notice one other variety this after- 
noon. This member of the family is one of the 
most noted and common in our fields, the Golden- 
winged Woodpecker, flicker, or ' wake-up' as he is 
most generally called by the country people from 
his often-repeated cries of ' wake-up V l wake-up!' 

"He is a splendid bird. The wings are greenish- 
yellow and brown above and golden -yellow below, 
with tail of the same bright hue, with heart-shaped 
black spots near the ends of the feathers. The back 
of the head is adorned with a red crescent and a 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 



145 



lilac-brown gorget on the breast, with similar col- 
ored spots extending all over the under parts. 

" This bird is fall of restless vivacity, flitting here 
and there, now tapping on an old limb or prying 
into holes and crevices for stray grubs, and then 




Fig. 16. — GoUhn-wuiged WooJj 



off agaiu, filling the air with his garrulous cries. 
He is not >o fond of trying his beak on every old 
limb or (had tree, nor is it fitted, as you will see by 
its slender form and crooked shape, for such con- 
stant hard service. Indeed, if it were not for his 
13 K 



146 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

toes, he would likely be classed with some other 
family of birds, perhaps among the perchers, as he 
is often seen sitting on a limb or perch like these 
birds — a position not often observed of the other 
woodpeckers. 

" The flicker makes a nest in a hole, like the rest 
of the class, and deposits six white eggs. It is said, 
if these are removed, it will continue to lay on until 
eighteen or twenty are deposited before giving up 
the effort. Though this bird is very fond of fruit 
and berries, with a disposition to forage on the corn- 
field, yet, as its principal food consists of insects and 
worms, it should be spared both for its beauty and 
its usefulness as one of the friends of man. 

" But we must say good-bye to the woodpeckers, 
and pay some attention to another class of this order 
of birds, the graceful little cuckoo. Here is one 
called the Black-billed Cuckoo. (Fig. 17.) 

" You will notice, as he sits upon the limb, that the 
toes are shaped like those of the woodpeckers, though 
they are not so long, nor does he use them in the 
same way for climbing, as he usually sits perched, 
like most of the birds. The bill and whole make- 
up of the cuckoo, except the toes, differ from the 
class with which he has been associated, as do also 
his general habits. Thus the nest of the cuckoo is 
built in low bushes, being constructed with small 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



147 



sticks, weeds, and a few dried leaves or moss, in 
which are deposited usually four greenish-blue eggs 
having a very fragile shell. It is a little curious 
that the European cuckoo uniformly avoids all the 
trouble of hatching and rearing its own species, 




Yin. 17.— Black-billed Cuckoo. 



forcing that duty on other birds. It builds no nest, 
but deposits its eggs in those of the sparrow, robin, 
or thrush, who are made to do the hatching and 
bear the burden of rearing the new family, often at 



148 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the expense of the legitimate offspring. The young 
cuckoos, finding the nest too cramped for two fami- 
lies, hustle the true heirs out into the cold world, 
and then enjoy their patrimony all to themselves. 
Perhaps for this, notwithstanding the formation of 
their toes, they should be placed among the robber 
birds. We can claim for our native species a better 
reputation, for they most cheerfully attend to family 
matters themselves. 

" We have but two specimens of these birds in 
our section of the country, the one I have just showed 
you, and whose notes have given a name to the class. 
This bird comes from his southern home very early 
in the spring, and his well-known cry of cuckoo! 
cuckoo! is a most welcome harbinger of spring's 
sunshine and flowers. Later in the season, when 
his cry is repeatedly heard, it is regarded as foretell- 
ing a speedy rain ; hence he is often called the 'rain- 
bird/ 

"The other member of this family known to us is 
the Yellow-bellied Cuckoo, being distinguished by a 
somewhat lighter plumage and more secluded habits. 
(Fig. 18.) This bird is a rarer visitor to our woods 
than the black-billed species, and can be readily 
recognized by the striking difference in his rough 
notes. If in the vicinity, there will be heard com- 
ing abruptly from the grove, with a loud and metal- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



149 



lie ring, a repetition of his call: Krow! Jcroiv! brawl 
km I bru I bra ! bra I bra ! When his cadence is 
ended, he darts off to some other point in the thick 
underbrush or tree-tops, and repeats it over and over. 
The cuckoos are cowardly birds, and are often driven 




Fie. 18.— YeUowbdlied Cuckoo. 

Cjuite away by the robins, blue birds, or the little 
fly-catchers. They take their share of fruits, but are 
mainly insectivorous, and hence are useful, though 
charged with the crime of robbing the nests of 
smaller birds. If this is so — and I have only the 
rtion of others, as I have not been able to sub- 

13* 



150 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

stantiate the indictment — it is a damaging charac- 
teristic, and will go far in justifying the gunner in 
decreasing the number. 

"The cuckoo has always been a favorite bird with 
the poets, though why so specially chosen is not so 
very plain. They are fair-looking in form and 
plumage, but not equal to hundreds that are passed 
by in searching for them ; nor are their harsh notes 
to be compared with the sweet warblings of larks, 
robins, and the scores of thrushes that make up our 
woodland melodies. It must be owing in part to 
their loud and cheerful voices being heard so early, 
when the chill and bleakness of winter still linger 

with us. 

1 The cuckoo is a fine bird, 

He sings as he flies ; 
He brings us good tidings, 

lie tells us no lies. 
He sucks little birds' eggs 

To make his voice clear ; 
And when he sings, cuckoo, 

The summer is near.' 

" Here, children, we must close our lessons for to- 
day; and as to-morrow will be Saturday, we shall 
have no school, so you may put your books care- 
fully away until Monday. 

" But you will remember my promise that you 
should make me a visit, and I would show you my 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 151 

lather's collection of birds and other curiosities. 
Well, to-morrow afternoon I wish to see you all at 
our house at three o'clock, and I hope we shall have 
a pleasant time together. Among other things 
which I have to show you, I have several live par- 
rots from different parts of the world. Two or three 
of them are quite ready talkers and can sing snatches 
of songs, and I have no doubt they will amuse you 
very much. Hoping to meet you all to-morrow, for 
the present school is dismissed." 

When thus set free, the children rushed out, de- 
lighted and happy, wondering at the new teacher, 
her beautiful pictures and interesting stories, and at 
themselves most of all. They had so long held the 
reputation of being bad that they could hardly think 
it possible that they had spent a whole week in 
school, and not one of them had been whipped, nor 
even scolded ; nay, more, they had really found 
study delightful, and felt that they had truly 
Learned something. And then, that the three boys 
who had always been so ready and bold to lead them 
into conflicts with their teachers should now be the 
attentive and submissive pupils of a little woman — 
well, they could not understand it; but this much 
they were agreed in: they liked the new teacher, 
witch or no witch. 

When Miss Truat reached her home that evening, 



152 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

her father greeted her with much astonishment, say- 
ing, 

" Why, my daughter, I expected to see you com- 
ing home astride of a broomstick, on the back of an 
owl, or in some other outlandish way, in true witch- 
hag style. Perhaps you are not aware that you have 
the reputation of being one of the dark sisterhood ; 
but it has come to my ears from one or two sources 
to-day; especially the squire has informed me that 
the matter is making quite an excitement in the 
neighborhood.' ' 

" Yes, father,'' was the daughter's reply ; " I am 
aware of the absurd story raised, I believe, mostly 
by a Miss Yost and some other ignorant persons. It 
is even reported that I have been seen worshiping 
the evil one in the form of a terrible bird. I did 
not suppose that any one in this country and age 
could be so stupid. But the story is abroad and in 
real earnest, for the person named has actually 
called on Mrs. Overocker, David's mother, to warn 
her of my evil influence. I was never more tried 
by any circumstance in my life. On my way home 
from school I have been trying to decide what course 
I ought to pursue to arrest the absurd rumor; and as 
I have not been enabled to fix on any definite plan, 
I must refer the question to you, dear father. What 
ought to be done ?" 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 153 

"That question is easily and quickly answered, 
my child : just do nothing at all. Let the matter 
work itself out, which it will not be long in doing. 
In the process it may. afford a good opportunity to 
remove in some degree the superstitions which gave 
birth to the charge. You kuow T the old Dutch set- 
tlers on the Hudson and the Mohawk are very gen- 
erally believers in witches and ghosts, and no denials 
or reasoning of ours will disabuse their minds of 
these long-cherished ideas. But let them all find 
out their mistake, as they will when they learn of 
your success as a teacher and your interest in the good 
of their children, and they will not only admit that 
you are guiltless of dealing in witchcraft, but have 
less faith in their notions that anybody else ever 
does." 

"Thank yon, father; I think your advice is most 
judicious, and I will banish the absurd matter from 
my thoughts." 






CHAPTEE XL 

VISIT TO MISS TRUAT AND HER PARROTS. 

f 

AT quite an early hour on Saturday morning, 
Miss Truat was called to the side-door by a 
very vigorous rapping, when, on opening it, she 
found Jim Lee, with a small bundle in his hand, 
swaying to and fro after the old fashion. As she 
started back with some surprise at seeing him, he 
stammered out, as though intending to explain the 
cause of his early visit, 

" Jim knows." 

Recollecting the arrangement made with his pa- 
rents, she at once surmised that Jim had been made 
to comprehend that he w T as to make his home with 
them ; so, with great kindness, she replied to his 
salutation : 

" Oh yes, Jim, it is all right ; walk in, and you 
shall have some breakfast " — an invitation he well 
understood and never declined. 

Calling Andrew, their kind-hearted and pious old 
Scotch gardener and man-of-all-work, Jim was 

154 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 155 

placed in his care to get his breakfast, and then to 
be installed in the small room which he was to oc- 
cupy, located near that of his appointed overseer. 
Andrew had been made acquainted with Doctor 
Truat's purpose in taking Jim into his family, and 
most heartily entered into the plan of trying to 
alleviate his sad condition by giving such instruc- 
tion as he could. While Doctor Truat and his 
daughter should attend to the physical and mental 
training of the poor young man, he readily took 
upon himself the duty of giving such care as should 
fit Jim to be of more service to himself and others. 
As he could chop wood and bring water so handily, 
Andrew rightly judged that he could be taught to 
do good service in the stable, and to use the hoe and 
rake in the garden. 

After Jim had satisfied his appetite, which re- 
quired no small quantity of food, Doctor Truat, as 
the first object of attention, took Jim to the neigh- 
boring store for an outfit of a more civilized pattern 
than he had been accustomed to, which had always 
consisted of only a coarse linsey shirt and cast-off 
pants so bepatched as to show scarcely a vestige 
of the original material. Hat and shoes had ever 
ii strangers to his extremities in summer or win- 
ter. From the statement of his parents that they 
had never been able to make him wear such articles, 



156 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

some trouble was apprehended in breaking the old 
habits. Jim was soon arrayed in a good strong suit 
of clothes ; but when the outfit got beyond the 
familiar articles, he was perplexed with the excess. 
A coat was a superfluity and a bother. He knew 
not what to do with it. It was no sooner put on by 
the help of others than it was thrown off by Jim — a 
process which was several times repeated before he 
could be induced to desist from his disrobing act, 
and then only because the doctor held his hands 
when attempting its repetition. When success was 
thus gained, Jim stood with his arms stretched out 
like the wings of a guide-board, a picture of awk- 
wardness and perplexity, muttering to himself, as 
was his wont when displeased. 

After successfully getting Jim into a coat, a hat 
was placed on his head, which, as it was a light one 
of straw, seemed to arouse little objection, as he sim- 
ply pushed it far over on the back of the head that 
he might indulge the usual habit of looking upward at 
a very sharp angle. But when it came to the boots, 
the largest pair in the store, Jim's opposition cul- 
minated. He could not be induced to put them on ; 
and repeatedly, when his foot was forced into one, it 
was jerked off with a spitefulness that showed his 
anger to be not a little aroused. Not wishing to 
incur the danger that Jim should take himself off 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 157 

to his swamp home, which he was- always sure to do 
when teased or offended, all further efforts to cramp 
his large " understandings " were suspended, and he 
was allowed to carry his boots away under his arm, 
leaving to Andrew the task of inducing him to put 
them to their proper use. 

On the way home from the store Jim's new rig 
caused no little mirth and curiosity ; and well it 
might, for, aside from his unusual appearance, he 
walked with his arms held out at nearly a right 
angle to his body, stiff and motionless, bowing and 
twitching up his shoulders, his hat still pushed over 
on the back of his head, permitting his broad and 
peculiar face to exhibit all of its oddities of expres- 
sion. This sight, in connection with the incidents 
related in conducting the school, led to many re- 
marks about the peculiar ways of the Truats. 
While it was a wonder that the doctor should en- 
cumber himself with such a peculiar and useless 
character, yet most of the neighbors could not with- 
hold their commendations of the kindness of the act. 
To some few, however, such disinterested benevo- 
lence as father and daughter had manifested was 
unaccountable ; hence they could not resist the im- 
putation of some selfish purpose that would yet 
crop out. 

" You'll see byme-by," said the croakers, " if Jim's 

14 



158 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



'natomy isn't hung up on wires in the doctor's shop, 
or his big head put away soaking in sperrits. Just 
as though that old sawbones is a-going to feed that 
great foolish lout, who'll eat more'n a horse, all for 
nuthin' ! Why, he'd be a bigger fool than Jim 
himself, and that doesn't stand to reason. Don't 
tell us. You'll see." 

But leaving subsequent events to determine which 
party was right in its surmises, attention is recalled 
to the children's visitation and the use made of it 
by their kind teacher. 

A full representation of the school was welcomed 
at Doctor Truat's at the hour named. After a few 
moments' chatting, the children were taken into the 
cabinet and shown the splendid collection of birds 
which had been gathered from all lands, where they 
almost stared their eyes out at the strange objects 
which they beheld. Then Miss Truat's rich port- 
folios of water-color drawings were opened for their 
free inspection, exciting equal delight and enthusi- 
asm. Children always love pictures, but such beau- 
ties these young rustics had never dreamed of, and 
they could hardly be drawn away from them when 
their teacher was ready to conduct them to her 
aviary of parrots and other feathered pets. The 
young visitors had heard of birds that could talk, 
but had never seen one; hence, when they entered 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 159 

the room where a half dozen w T ere screaming and 
chattering, they were greatly astonished, some being 
really frightened, thinking that these curious crea- 
tures were only som-e of Miss Truat's associate 
witches. What a jumble of terms and noise3 
saluted their ears! "Eveline!" "Pretty Polly;" 
"Polly wants a cracker ;" "Doctor Truat," and 
" Get out !" were some of the outcries that filled 
the room. Most of the parrots were free, perched 
on roosts, or climbing from perch to perch by the 
use of bill and claws. Two or three occupied 
beautiful cages, because, as the teacher said, they 
were too much disposed to destructiveness and quar- 
reling. 

When fully assured that no danger was to be 
apprehended, the young visitors began to feast their 
eyes and ears. They gazed with wonder at the daz- 
zling plumage of the birds, for Miss Truat had spe- 
cimens of some of the most gorgeous of the class. 
There was the richest blending of the brightest of 
scarlet, green, yellow, blue, pink, and spotless white. 
Many of these colors were found handsomely bal- 
anced and blended in a single bird, as in the macaws 
of South America and the Australian cockatoos. 
When the first effect of their astonishment was 
pawed, the children began quite a chatter with the 
birds, and many was the hearty laugh enjoyed at 



160 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



the odd and sometimes pertinent answers made to 
their banterings. When they had been allowed suf- 
ficient time to enjoy this inspection and chatter with 
her parrots, Miss Truat called their attention to the 
special object of the interview, which was a free con- 
versation respecting the class of birds they were 
examining. 

"Well, children," she inquired, "what do you 
think of my birds?" 

" Oh, they're splendid I" was the hearty response 
from many. 

"Yes, you may well say so," was the teacher's 
reply. " Some of them, you see, have been quite 

well educated and are 
well-behaved birds, but 
this big Gray Parrot 
from Western Africa, 
which you see in this 
cage, is too fond of 
trying his beak on his 
neighbors or my fin- 
gers, if he can get the 
chance, hence he has 
to be restrained of his 
liberty. But he is one 

FIG. l».-Africanm in Ids Cage. of my ye]y begt talkers> 

and so I prize him very highly, notwithstanding 




BOYS AND BIRDS. 161 

his ill-nature. I call him Africanus, and will tell 
you some stories about him before we are through. 
(Fig. 19.) 

" Well, Aff," said the teacher, addressing the bird 
as she passed the cage, "how are you to-day ?" 

" Clc-c-c-ar ou-t ! cle-e-e-ar ou-t!" was the sulky 
and long-drawn-out reply of the bird, which at the 
same time edged over to the opposite side of his cage. 

"Oh, don't be so huffy," said his mistress, "and 
you shall have a nice piece of apple for your good 
manners.' ' 

" Cle-e-e-ar ou-t I" came louder and shriller. 

" Well, well, be cross and go hungry/' was the re- 
sponse of Miss Truat as she passed his cage, at which 
the bird strutted out with an exultant laugh, ending 
with a self-compliment of " Pretty Polly." 

All this interested the children exceedingly, and 
made them eager for what was yet to come. 

M Xow, children," began the teacher, " if you are 
ready to listen, I will tell you something about the 
birds you are looking at. 

" Parrots belong, as I have already told you, to 
the same family as the woodpeckers and cuckoos, 
because they have the same general conformation 
of the toes, though they do not use them exactly in 
the Bame way a.- the woodpeckera <!<>. [nstead <>!' 
climbing up the trunks of trees, they use their claws 

14* L 



162 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

to perch and hang on the limbs. They will often 
hold on with one foot and reach far up or down to 
grasp another limb with the other, hook their beaks 
over the limb and drop themselves down, holding on 
entirely by the strength of their bills. Some varie- 
ties, as our own paroquet, are even known to sleep 
all night suspended in this way, though it surely 
must give them a touch of the neckache before 
morning. 

" But the most astonishing thing respecting these 
birds is their ability to imitate human speech, if, in- 
deed, it can be called only imitation, as some of their 
phrases and apt replies faintly touch the borders of 
the province of reason. And this remark, children, 
leads me to give you reasons why I have such a love 
for birds. I have already spoken of their beauty 
and their gift of song, but I think, with these gor- 
geously-feathered specimens before you, you will un- 
derstand that I came very far short of presenting 
their full claims in this respect. Certainly they ex- 
haust the capabilities of colors. Nothing that paints 
or dyes can do, will surpass the combination and 
brilliancy which we here behold in their feathered 
adornings. In gracefulness of form they have strong 
claims, and their general habits place them high in 
the ranks of the animal creation ; but the chief claim 
to distinction of this class of the bird race is their 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 163 

wonderful ability of speech. In this respect these 
birds stand alone in the animal creation, it' we ex- 
cept man. Even the tribes of baboons and monk. 
which, according to. some, are the connecting link 
between man and the races below him, and do really 
bear the nearest resemblance to him, exhibit no 
ability to acquire the marvelous gilt of speech. 
But our beautiful parrots are very apt pupils, ami 
some of them reach a high degree of perfection in 
the use of language. And we must pass to the 
credit of the bird race the fact that ravens, crows, 
daws, and the starlings have shown some talent for 
imitating the human voice, as individuals of all 
these varieties have been taught to articulate words. 
Birds are useful, they are beautiful, they can talk, 
they can sing, and, lastly, they have a keen sense of 
the beautiful, as we shall see by and by when we 
come to examine some of their curious and tastefully- 
constructed nests. In what other department of 
natural history can we find such another combina- 
tion of wonderful endowmen: 

" But now let us take a closer view of our clamor- 
ous pets. 

"There are more than three hundred and fifty 
varieties of parrots, and they are found in all parts 
the world, except Europe and the northern re- 
us, though principally clustering along the lino 



164 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

of the equator. Of the known species one hundred 
and forty-two are American, only one of which, 
however, is found in the United States. The islands 
of New Guinea come in for the next largest share ; 
then Australia, Polynesia, Africa, and Asia follow 
as I have named them. In Europe they are found 
only as importations for the aviaries and museums 
of the curious. 

"While the general name of parrot has been 
applied to this class of Scansores, they are subdi- 
vided into paroquets, macaws, and cockatoos, each 
division having some marked peculiarity to which 
we will refer. 

" The paroquets are the smallest of the tribe, some 
of them being little larger than a sparrow. They 
are somewhat lacking in the splendor of plumage so 
generally characteristic of the class, though some 
are exceedingly handsome, nor do they seem to pos- 
sess much ability to imitate the languages of man. 

" As we have not time to give a general attention 
to the numerous individuals included in the three 
subdivisions, we will only describe one or two of 
each class, and will begin with this beautiful South 
Carolina Paroquet that is bowing so gracefully to us 
from his perch. (Fig. 20.) 

" As I have before mentioned, this is the only indi- 
vidual of the race of parrots found in our country, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



165 



and is here confined to the Southern States. My 
specimen of these birds is a very fine one. He is 
not quite so large as the wild pigeon, but excepting 
the head and feet, not unlike this bird in general 
outline, as there is also great resemblance in the 
manner of flight, having the same swiftness and 




Fig. 20. — Sotilh Carolina Paroquet. 

whistle of wing and disposition to go in large flocks. 
But here the resemblance ends, for, beautiful as 
the wild pigeon is, it bears no comparison to this 
brilliant bird. The predominant color is a light 
grass-green, shading to purple or blue on the shoul- 



166 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

ders of the wings. The head and neck are of the 
brightest yellow, with a patch of orange red on the 
forehead. Notice the strong hooked bill. The 
upper mandible is slightly movable, as in nearly all 
parrots, into which the lower one fits with a sharp 
tooth-like point, by means of which the bird readily 
opens the cockle-burr, its favorite food, shells, nuts, 
and pine-cones, and performs other necessary acts 
in feeding. 

" When in Georgia a few years ago, I was much 
interested in watching these beautiful birds, admir- 
ing their graceful and rapid flight, or marking them 
as they clung to the bush of cockle with one foot 
and then reached out the other to pluck the burr 
from the end of the branch, it was done so handily, 
and then held to the mouth and peeled as neatly as 
a boy could do it. In this way a large flock renders 
essential service to the planter in ridding him of an 
abundant crop of a noxious weed. 

" When a flock of paroquets light on a tree, they 
immediately begin to huddle close together, hitching 
sideways until the utmost compactness is obtained. 
If they are now fired at and one falls, they will cir- 
cle around for a few moments and then alight on the 
same tree, and will do so repeatedly if the gunner 
keeps out of sight. The knowing sportsman in this 
way will secure a large number of the flock before 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 1G7 

the birds are sufficiently frightened to fly away and 
escape his fatal aim. 

" The paroquets do not roost on limbs like the 
perchera generally, but take possession of old wood- 
pecker holes or other cavities in decayed trees, into 
which they pack themselves until there is no more 
space, when the unfortunates that have failed to 
find admission hang themselves on the outside 
with bill and claws rather than forsake their com- 
panions. Their nests are always found in similar 
places. 

" Poor lonely l Kilinky,' as I call my paroquet — 
this is the name given to these birds by the Chicka- 
saw Indians — when night comes, having no compan- 
ion to nestle up to, if a glass is placed at one end 
of his perch, so that he can see his own image, he 
will immediately hitch up to it, manifesting the 
utmost confidence and fondness. After a little bill- 
ing and show of caresses, he will lay his head close 
to the image in the glass, and compose himself to 
sleep with great satisfaction. 

11 It is reported that the paroquet has been seen as 

far north as the banks of the Hudson, but it never 

- my good fortune to get a glimpse of one in 

these regions. If any of my scholars have ever 

I a bird like this in the fields or groves around 

here, I should be pleased to have them mention it." 



168 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" I never did, nor I, nor I," came from most of 
the children. 

" Well," resumed Miss Truat, " if they ever did 
reach this high northern latitude, it must have been 
some stray one which soon found out what wander- 
ing boys learn by a bitter experience — that there is 
no place like home — and so made a rapid flight back 
to the sunny South, which I have no doubt Kilinky 
would speedily do if he had the freedom of the 
woods. 

" The Macaws are mostly found in South America, 
and are remarkable for their great size, brilliant 
plu mage, and exceeding long tails. The Bed and Blue 
and Blue and Yellow Macaws are held to be among the 
handsomest birds in the world. I am very sorry 
that I have not a living specimen of these varieties 
to show you ; but here is one of the red and blue 
kind, so well preserved that he looks as natural as 
life, from the inspection of which you will be con- 
vinced that their reputation for beauty has not been 
overstated. How richly red, scarlet, yellow, blue, 
and green blend and dazzle in their plumage ! And 
mark his magnificent scarlet and blue tail, of which 
he may w T ell be proud. This peculiar appendage, 
you will at once perceive, distinguishes the macaws 
from the gray and green parrots, these latter birds 
having tails formed more like the carnivorous tribes, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 169 

of which we have spoken in some of our former 
interviews. 

"But let us return again to African us, and per- 
haps we shall find him in better humor, and I will 
give you the promised stories about parrots. 

" Two or three years ago, while passing along one 
of the docks on the East River to visit a ship on 
which I expected to meet a friend, I was startled 
and offended by some one crying out with great rude- 
ness, ■ O — Su — san ! Su — san I 1 I paused to see 
from whom this address came, but no person w T as in 
sight, and turned to pass on, when, with a louder 
cry and in a kind of singing tone, I heard the same 
voice, and was saluted with, ' — Billy — Boy ! — 
Billy — Boy!' ending the strain with a prolonged 
laugh. As I stood staring with wonder at hear- 
ing such salutations coming from some unknown 
source, a sailor who just then came upon deck 
pointed to the parrot sitting on the rigging near by, 
and said : 

" ' Xever mind, miss ; it's only this unmannerly bird 
spinning one of his yarns. Avast there, ye lubber! 
just coil and belay your tongue, will ye?' This was 
Baid to the bird, which gave a fretful cry, and began 
climbing up a rope, as though getting out of the way 
of an expected blow. I was so much pleased with 
the intelligence of the bird that I made a purchase 

15 



170 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

from the sailor ; but I soon found that his manners 
had been very much perverted, and his vocabulary 
partook too much of the coarseness and profanity 
of his sailor instructors. He has learned to talk 
more like a gentleman, but is still disposed to be ill- 
natured, and so we will pass him by and pay more 
attention to this beautiful green parrot." 

Miss Truat led her wondering and delighted 
young visitors to the perch of a splendid Green Par- 
rot from the Amazon that had been calling her for 
some time, and now seemed delighted at the recog- 
nition. 

"Here," said she, "is the prince of my talking 
birds. I have named him Don Pedro, to which he 
readily responds. One of you may ask him what 
his name is, and I think he will at once answer." 

David complied with this request, and said, " Bird- 
ie, what is your name ?" 

"Pedro! Pedro-o-o /" was the prompt reply, at 
the same time the bird began to gently work his 
wings, and edge toward the questioner. 

"He wants you to stroke his head," said Miss 
Truat, " and you can do it without fear, as Pedro is 
a most amiable bird. 

" I obtained Pedro from an English family residing 
in Brazil when we were in South America. He was 
then a ready talker, and he has been improving ever 



BOYS AND BIRDS, 171 

since. Among his other accomplishments, he has 
learned several snatches of song, which he is gener- 
ally ready to repeat when any one starts the tunes 
with which he is familiar. 

me, Pedro," said Miss Truat, u show my young 
friends how well you can sing. Give us 'Days of 
Absence f " and she began to hum the tune. For a 
moment the bird seemed to listen, then settled down 
with an appearance of reflective composure, and be- 
gan, in tones that much resembled the singing of 
an aged lady, and without much regard to correct 
time : 

" Days — of-f-f — ab-sen-ce — sad — and — dre-arv-y ." 
This line was repeated several times, the bird once stop- 
ping in the middle of the verse to interject a demand 
for a cracker, which excited the mirth of his young 
auditors. After the same style a line of "Auld Lang 
Syne" was sung, and one or two other simple airs, 
showing a wonderful degree of cultivation of the 
vocal organs. 

" Now," said the teacher, "ask him whom he votes 
for." In reply to this question, put by one of the 
children. Pedro bristled up his feathers, and cried 
out in a loud voice, " Old JL'rL-o-re-e-e ! Gcn-rr-al 
/" At this the boya gave b loud u Hur- 
rah!'' to which Pedro responded, M Hur-rah-hrh /" 
with equal enthusiasm. 



172 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

Pedro gave many other evidences of his wonder- 
ful ability to imitate the human voice, oftentimes in 
a manner to show that he had some idea of the 
import of his words and ability to enjoy the wit of 
his own remarks.* 

"So apt is the parrot to imitate our language," 
added Miss Truat, " that it is not always safe to have 
them about, as a little incident will show. A parrot 
that was kept on board of a vessel very naturally 
acquired many of the phrases used by the officers in 
managing the ship. Among others w T ere those so 
often used in loading and unloading — i hoist away/ 
' let go/ and ' heave away.' On one occasion they 
were hoisting some ladies on board by the usual 
means of a chair fastened to a rope which was 
passed through a pulley at the end of the yard. 
When one was landed on deck, the order was, ' let 
go/ as the chair went down to the boat for another. 
But, unfortunately, just as one had nearly reached 
the deck the sailors, who were looking in another 
direction, heard the order, 'let go/ and obeyed it 
promptly, and down went chair and lady with a 
splash into the water. When inquiries were made 
into the cause of the disaster, it w T as found that 

* The reader is informed that these statements truly set 
forth the abilities of a green parrot belonging to a friend of 
the writer. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 173 

1 poor Poll ' had given the order, and not the proper 
officer. 

" I remember a case quite as laughable with no 
unpleasant results, except to the poor cook who was 
the subject of it. An acquaintance had a very 
smart gray parrot that was very fond of a peculiar 
kind of short-cake which the family cook was accus- 
tomed to make. On one occasion, when the family 
were all absent, the cook invited a number of her 
cronies to a social dish of tea, for which she was 
preparing the favorite short-cake — a process which 
the parrot had watched with longing expectancy. 
Just as the cake was ready for the table the family 
unexpectedly returned, and the cook to hide her 
misdoings slipped it under the cushion of an arm- 
chair which the mistress was accustomed to occupy. 
The family were soon seated around the table, on 
which nothing but dry bread was placed. The par- 
rot seemed to notice this, and fearing, no doubt, that 
he would lose the expected treat, began to cry out : 
' Burn, missus — cake-wider-cushion,' and repeated it 
so often as to attract attention, when an examina- 
tion was made and the cook's duplicity exposed. 

"But here," said Miss Truat, "are my beautiful 
Cockatoo* that have patiently been waiting for their 
share of attention. This class of parrots is con- 
fined mainly to the Eastern Archipelago and Aus- 

15 * 



174 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



tralia, being especially numerous and brilliant in 
the latter country. They are of different sizes and 
colors, but are all distinguished by a magnificent 
crest of feathers on the top of the head. Fortu- 
nately, I have one of the most beautiful of the spe- 




FiG. 21.— The Pink Cockatoo. 



cies, the Pink Cockatoo, in which this appendage is 
splendidly shown. (Fig. 21.) 

" One can scarcely conceive of any shades more 
delicate than those which predominate in the plum- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 175 

age of this bird. A spotless white, with the faintest 

flush of pink, is the general color. Around the base 
of the beak runs a narrow crimson line, extending 
to the roots of the crest feathers, which latter are 
long, pointed, and barred with golden } T ellow, crim- 
son, and white. The neck, breast, and under the 
tail and wings are deep crimson red ; and when the 
bird elevates his crest, as you will be sure to see him 
do when I caress him, it is hard to conceive of any- 
thing in the animal kingdom more magnificent." 

The looks of wonder and admiration which the 
children gave while this bird was under examina- 
tion fully attested the interest which they felt and 
justified the statements of the teacher. 

"As the habits of parrots are much alike in all 
countries/' said Miss Truat, "we need not particu- 
larize further, so I will leave you for a little while 
to talk with my pets and examine them at your lei- 
sure, and then you will be prepared, I trust, to go 
home feeling that you have spent a happy after- 
noon. " 

With this remark Miss Truat left her pupils to 
arrange a little collation of cakes and fruit. As 
this treat was wholly unexpected, the young visitors 
were surprised and delighted when they were invited 
to the repast and urged to help themselves freely, 
which they were not slow to do. 



176 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

After the sharp appetites of her young friends had 
been fully satisfied, Miss Truat thanked them for 
their excellent behavior, then dismissed them, feel- 
ing more than repaid for the little tax it had neces- 
sarily involved of time and outlay. 

As the children scattered to their homes that 
evening it was with a feeling somewhat akin to 
awaking from a delightful dream so real as to leave 
the mind for a time in doubt between the vision and 
reality. They had been so happy, and in such an 
unusual way, that it seemed hard to make it real. 
How they talked and laughed over the odd expres- 
sions of the parrots, now imitating their manner of 
speech or dilating on their splendors ! Nor did the 
wonderful new teacher fail to come in for words of 
love and admiration, which, had she heard them, 
would have abundantly satisfied her of her full pos- 
session of their affections and confidence. 



CHAPTER XIT. 

SING INO BIU DS.— Till: I TSHES. 

rpHE report of the delightful day spent with their 

J- teacher which the children carried home from 
their visit fully removed any lingering doubts preju- 
dicial to the reputation or ability of Miss Truat, and 
gave her most generally the moral support of the 
parents of the district. The only dissatisfied ones 
were Miss Yost and two or three cronies. To make 
such a stupid blunder and be so soon detected was 
most humiliating. Besides, it was a death-blow to 
her reputation as a "discerner of spirits" and re- 
tailer of neighborhood gossip. She could not ven- 
ture into the streets without being repeatedly ac- 
costed as to the state ofwitchdom and the prosperity 
of owls in general. This state of things soon became 
m pleasant thai Bhe found it convenient to make 
a \i-it to her Dutch grandmother living on the other 
of the Hudson, where Bhe tarried until her un- 
fortunate mistake was somewhat forgotten. 

It will not be necessary to follow the daily routine 
of Miss Truat's instruction farther than to note the 

II 177 



178 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

general success of her efforts ; hence special atten- 
tion will be confined to her lessons in ornithology, 
which she had resorted to not so much as a science 
as an entertainment and a means of obtaining a 
moral power over her pupils. Accordingly, without 
detailing any intermediate events, the reader will be 
introduced to the next conversation about birds. 

"At our last interview," began Miss Truat, "we 
had a very pleasant intercourse with some birds that 
had acquired much ability in using human speech, 
with perhaps a glimpse here and there of its signifi- 
cance. This afternoon it is proposed to introduce 
you to a class possessing the pow T er, not of imitating 
one of our gifts, but rather of exciting us to emulate 
one that they possess, thereby repaying us for what- 
ever portion of our endowment of speech their kin- 
dred has borrowed. If the parrots have to come to 
us- to acquire a few words of human language, we 
may go to thrushes, larks, and sparrows when we 
wish to make attainments in the delights of song. 
As ability to acquire the art of speech is the pecu- 
liar natural gift of man, so capability of song is the 
special endowment of the birds; for except the purr- 
ing of some of the feline race, as the cat, which can 
hardly be called singing, the birds alone are gifted 
with the power of song in common with man, mak- 
ing them joint possessors of one of the angelic attri- 



B0Y8 AND BIRDS. 179 

botes. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that 
the angels are represented as wearing something of 
the outward Bhaping of the birds — they are winged. 
We might, perhaps, more prpperly say that when 
1 bestowed upon birds the angelic gift of Bong lie 
re them wings as appropriately going with the 
benison. But more especially should it he said, to 
increase our love and admiration for the birds, that 
when Deify would take any of the animal shaping? 

in which t<> reveal himself especially to the world, 

the snow-white dove hovers over the only begotten 
I rod as he eomes up dripping from the sacred 
waters of the Jordan. lt\ therefore, the Saviour is 
B Lamb to typify sacrifice and atone- 
ment for Bin, in the emblematic Spirit-dove we have 
intimations of the purity and employments of heaven, 
to which that atonement leads us. These facts of 

divi a will prepare us to continue our study 

of birds with a devout and keener relish, for we shall 
Understand that it is not the bird simply nor his 

marvel that we are considering, hut 

also the wonderful and gracious provisions of an all- 

k> \\ fail to note how lovingly the great 

!• his winged songs! 

• a little sparrow, one of tie- least of the feathered 
falls to the ground or hushes its tiny 



180 



BOYS AND BIHDS. 



note that God does not mark its fall and hear its 
faintest dying trills. And what a sweet and consol- 
ing doctrine our blessed Saviour bases on this divine 
carefulness for the birds ! * Are ye not better than 
the fowls V Oh, who can doubt the loving superin- 
tendence of our heavenly Father after such an as- 
suring presentation of it? 

" But now I hope you are saying, ' Oh, if God 
has made such beautiful things for us to admire, let 
us look at them with sharper eyes, and open our ears 
with a quicker sense to drink in their sweet melo- 
dies.' Pausing, therefore, in our moralizing, let us 
use our senses to gather richer and sweeter lessons of 
the divine goodness. And listen ! What a gush of 
melody fills yonder grove ! It would almost seem 
as though God had sent a full choir of his feathered 
singers to hover around our schoolhouse and make 
our lessons more impressive. We can recognize a 
dozen or more of bird voices in the grand chorus of 
melody which is now delighting us, thrush and 
robin, blackbird and sparrow, pewit and wren, blue- 
bird and warbler, and many others, all pouring forth 
their gladness in an anthem of praise. (Fig. 22.) 

" Now listen to that delicious thrush solo ; anon a 
duet of robins ; then a gush of lark melody, the war- 
ble of sparrows, trill of the wren, ending up with a 
grand chorus by the whole choir. With such de- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



181 



liglitful music, we cannot help .forgetting all about 
fine feathers and poor imitations of speech, more en- 
tranced with the angelic gift and exercise of sons:. 




Fio. 22. — -1 Bird Chorus. 

" When you were looking at the gaudily-plumed 
parrots and macaws, and thought of our birds in 
comparatively plain attire, you might have envied 
16 



182 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the countries where those gorgeous creatures are 
found ; but now, listening to the delicious music 
which ours are pouring into our ears, I think you 
will all admit that we are more blest in our allot- 
ment. 

" The bird is a more natural singer than his hu- 
man competitor. His song has more of spontaneity, 
though, like us, perfection is only the result of cul- 
tivation. It is a question if any of the wild and 
rude tribes ever acquire any vocal ability which we 
would call singing, or enjoy as we do civilized music. 
I have been among several of the rude races, es- 
pecially our native Indians, and certainly never 
heard among them all any musical performances 
that were pleasing to the ear, or that could be called 
music. True, they have what they call songs, but 
they are only dreary and monotonous recitations, or 
long sentences repeated in harsh sing-song tones, not 
approaching to a comparison with the rich bird-melo- 
dies of their native woods. It may be asserted, there- 
fore, that song is more natural to birds than to us. 
Mr. Broderip, an English naturalist, and a great lover 
of birds, by a long and careful series of experiments, 
proved that to most song-birds their vocal ability 
came naturally and early. He learned that each 
species has a certain range of family notes, which 
are developed in a uniformity of song, but capable 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 183 

of being largely varied by imitation and cultivation. 
That is, a thrush will generally give the notes of a 
thrush ; but if taken from its natural associates and 
placed with other species, it will acquire more or less 
of their songs. Thus he found that a goldfinch 
would imitate a wren and a sparrow acquire the 
notes of a blackbird or a linnet when kept with these 
birds. Taking advantage of this ability of imita- 
tion, those who deal in song-birds have ' calls ' and 
1 bird organs ' to cultivate their young birds and de- 
velop their vocal organs. Sometimes boys are found 
who possess wonderful ability to imitate birds, and 
are employed as bird instructors. I have known 
two or three who were constantly engaged in giving 
music lessons to canaries, mocking-birds, and other 
favorites of the aviary. (Fig. 23.) 

" Of all the oscincs, or singing birds, the Thrushes 
are generally placed at the head, and very deservedly, 
for most of the tribe have wonderful capacity of 
song. In form they are small and not ungraceful, 
bat have little to boast of in respect to gayety and 
brilliancy of plumage. Their colors are mostly con- 
fined to the sober shades of brown and ashy grays, 
and are well represented in the robin, brown thrush, 
and cat-bird, all very familiar to you. 

u P( rl aps, following the order of merit, the Mock* 
ing4nrd deserves the first notice at our hands. In 



184 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 




Fig. 23. — A Bird Instructor. 



the whole range of woodland vocalists this wonder- 
ful singer stands confessedly supreme. You saw and 
heard my beautiful specimen on your late visit to 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



185 



my collection, and I am sure you never heard his 
equal in our woods and groves. His variety of 
notes is endless, and he rarely tires of pouring them 
forth ; morning, noon, and often in the midnight if 
the moon shines, his sprightly melody is filling the 
whole house, or his apt imitations of dog, cat, creak 
of wheelbarrow, or wood-sawing are exciting our 
mirth and astonishment. 

" The mocking-bird is not often seen so far north 
as the banks of the Hudson, though individuals 
have on rare occasions ventured thus far from their 
native South. 

" This bird is slightly larger than the common 
cat-bird, which is a near relative, with a greater 
length of tail and several shades lighter in color, 
this being a prevailing ashy gray, fading to whitish 
underneath. The female is perceptibly less in size, 
and being songless, is not much sought after as a 
cage bird. But forgetting the plain appearance of 
our chief singer, let us listen to his infinite variety 
of notes, for there is absolutely no limit to his capa- 
bility of imitation. Those who have only heard the 
mocking-bird in captivity know but little of his 
A accomplishments. He must be heard in his 
native woods, for he is pre-eminently an arboreal 
bird. He loves the thick woods and fragrant lied 
II- re he delights to hop and flit from spray to spray 



186 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

with nervous restlessness, all the while catching up 
the strains of other birds and ending the refrain 
with a finish and heartiness, as though he was the 
general instructor of the feathered races, and was 
teaching them how to sing their own songs. 

" I once had a good opportunity to witness the 
astonishing powers of mimicry possessed by the 
mocking-bird. On a certain occasion I was spend- 
ing several months with a friend who lived in close 
proximity to a ship-yard and two or three other 
manufacturing establishments where a variety of 
noises were heard quite out of the way of ordinary 
sounds. Among other things which attracted my 
attention was a saw-pit where men were engaged in 
cutting ship-timber, one standing on the log and the 
other in the pit. The large saw which they used 
made a peculiar crisp sound as it passed through the 
wood, unlike the noise of any other sawing. For two 
or three days I heard this sound late in the evening 
and at the earliest show of daylight, when I knew 
that all the other employes were resting from their 
toils, and wondered that these men, who certainly 
seemed to have much the hardest share of the labor, 
should be required to render such an extra amount 
of service. On expressing my surprise at this un- 
equal division, I was laughingly told that the sounds 
I heard were the imitations of the process made by 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 187 

a pet mocking-bird. I could hardly credit the story 
until I had watched the bird and heard him repeat 
the imitation myself. It was an astonishing feat, 
and I have not doubted the capacity of the mock- 
ing-bird since. The other incident which I shall 
relate, which also came under my observation, will 
not only show the wonderful vocal capacity of the 
bird, but also indicate that he has some appreciation 
of humor and understands practical jokes. 

" When visiting the south-western borders of 
Arkansas a few summers ago, I tarried several days 
at a house situated on the. borders of a handsome 
grove, in the edge of which was growing a large 
tree with a top of very dense foliage. I noticed 
repeatedly, while listening to the splendid bird-music 
of the grove, that this particular tree was often 
filled with multitudes of the various kinds of birds 
in the neighborhood, from which they would sud- 
denly scatter in the wildest fright at the screaming 
of a hawk or some other bird of prey ; and yet I 
never could get a sight of such a bird. Watching 
to solve the mystery, I soon discovered the cause of 
this repeated demonstration. A splendid old mock- 
ing-bird would ensconce himself in the thickest 
booghfl of the tree-top, and then imitate the love 
calls of the various birds until the tree was fairly 
alive with curious dupes, peeping here and there for 



188 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the supposed concealed amorous caller, when all at 
once the delighted wag would scream out in the 
alarming tones of the dreaded enemy, and then 
come from his concealment and hop around on the 
outermost branches to enjoy the panic which he had 
so cunningly plotted and carried out. 

"And here let me say, children, that of all my 
pets I have felt most condemned when I have 
watched the restless flittings of my mocking-bird. 
He flies and hops, hops and flies, with ceaseless ac- 
tivity, using the utmost limits of his cage, and often 
trying the strength of his prison, as though he would 
break its bars and regain his longed-for freedom. I 
take extra care of him, and spend more time than 
with any of the rest of my birds in trying to gratify 
his wants, yet I never fail to experience a pang of 
regret at the restraints which I have put upon him, 
nor to recall a striking anecdote which I once read, 
and which awakens a sense of condemnation because 
I cannot bring myself to act on its suggestion. 

"A poor sailor w T ho had but recently escaped 
from a long and cruel imprisonment among some of 
the wild Arabs, on passing a market where several 
birds were exposed for sale, paused before them for 
a time, while the tears filled his eyes, and then asked 
the price of the birds. When told, he promptly paid 
the money, and taking one from the cage, gave it a 



BOVS AND BIRDS. 



189 



^s£ 




Is? ■ ' <^^iwl^M 




k^^^^M 


jfcj^jJPaBl^ i 


- --tKj*/. 1 ■■•: 




^VI 










^MpMlmW^'C^^^^^^^- 


_" 


^B^^\ 








Ww|«J|^::^^^!^^ 




UUhhi ■ ' 


HI 





Ki«;. 2;.— 77c- SUIor Freeing the <'•>, I 

into the air and restored it to its native freedom. 

This process lie repeated until every bird was re- 

1 from its captivity. (Fig. 24.) The crowd 

looked on witli astonishment, thinking the poor man 



190 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

demented. When asked to account for his strange 
conduct, he replied: 'I was once a captive myself, 
and know too well the sweets of liberty not to sym- 
pathize with even a little bird in its captivity.' 

"As it may be proper to kill a single bird to study 
its formation and organs, and take an egg or two for 
a like scientific purpose, so it may be allowed to re- 
strain one of its native freedom in order to learn more 
perfectly its habits. But the indiscriminate impris- 
onment of wild birds, especially those of so vivacious 
temperaments as the whole race of thrushes, must 
be regarded as cruel and inexcusable. 

" I have said that the Cat-bird is a near relative 
of the mocking-bird ; and so he is — a blood kin but 
one remove, and with no little share of his gifted 
kinsman's ability. When disturbed, or when you 
are in the immediate vicinity of its nest, the well- 
known harsh cry which has given the bird its feline 
name is heard repeated over and over with much 
petulance. But when the soft, still evening comes, 
then watch him as, seated on the topmost bough, he 
carols so joyously with a delicious mellowness, and 
you will call him no mean singer. Listen to the 
one just now singing in yonder cherry tree with a fer- 
vor and sweetness that seems intended to justify the 
statements I have made of the ability of his race. 
The cat-birds are among the most plentiful and 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 191 

familiar of our northern birds,, being found every- 
where, from early spring to late autumn, in our fields 
and gardens. If fed and petted a little, they become 
quite tame and confidential. I have now a splendid 
old bird that seems quite as much attached to me as 
I to him. When working among my flower-beds, 
he uniformly takes his place on a branch nearest to 
me, singing all the while, as though to gratify me, 
which he certainly does. If I move to another 
point, he follows immediately to the new position, 
repeating the act as often as I change places. 

"At this time his mate is occupying her nest on 
the arm of a grape trellis, from which she peeps 
out demurely at our flirtations, as though having 
the same confidence and interest in my operations 
and kindness as her noble mate. I can assure you 
that I take more pleasure in my free cat-birds than 
I do with my imprisoned mocking-bird, and should 
most certainly set the latter at liberty did I not 
know that I should lose him altogether, and that 
he could not long enjoy his freedom so far from his 
native home. 

fc 'Iii the birds known by the class name of thrushes 
England has, perhaps, a greater variety than we 
Lave, though none that can equal our mocking-bird 
in richness and variety of notes. Chief among our 
birds of this class is the Song Thrush, (Fig. 25.) 



192 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 



" The color on the back is a clear cinnamon brown, 
with a white and speckled breast. As is clearly 
seen, it has little to boast of in the adornment of 
feathers, but its cheerful song is one of the most 
delightful heard in our woods. It is not as plentiful 




Fig. 25.— The. Song Thrush. 

as w 7 e could wish, nor are those which make us a 
visitation inclined to be familiar, as they seek rather 
the seclusion of the thick woods and shady places. 
When two song thrushes are in near proximity, they 
seem to vie with each other in the vivacity of their 
notes, singing in responsive strains, each catching 



BOYS AND BIPvDS. 



193 



up the refrain from the other, -and repeating it 
louder and more prolonged until their utmost pow- 
ers of song are exhausted. They come to us about 
the middle of May, and are always welcome. The 
nests and eggs of the song thrush are so nearly like 
those of the robin, with which you are all so familiar, 




Fig. 20. — Thrushes at Song and Supper. 

that it requires an expert to readily tell the differ- 
ence. Like the robin, their food is varied, consist- 
ing of worms and insects during the early spring 
and fall : but when summer brings its delicious fruits, 
they claim their full share. If a wild cherry tree 
stand- on the borders of some grove, or a rich mul- 
fo itv in the time of ripeness, the thrush, with other 
17 N 



194 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

birds, will be sure to find out the treasures, and will 
gather them, singing and eating, seeming to enjoy 
song and supper with equal relish. (Fig. 26.) 

" The Brown Thrush or Thrasher (Fig. 27), as we 
generally call it, is a more familiar bird than the one 



MSfc^^^fcife v 




Fig. 27. — Brown Thrashers and Nest. 

we have just been talking about. It is of a lighter 
color, and the largest of our thrushes. Its gong is 
so sweet and varied as to compare favorably with 
the mocking-bird. It has one very excellent trait : 
in dark and gloomy days, when most other songsters 
are silent, and even in the night, it will break forth 
in a wild gush of melody; hence the bird is a favor- 
ite with those who are fond of bird-music. Its 



boys and r>rnn>. 



195 



chosen nesting-place is a thorn-bush or clump of 
briers, or the thick branches of the cedar. It builds 
first with sticks, then dry leaves or moss, finishing 
off with hair or the fine fibres of bark or small 
rootlets. The egga are generally five in number, of 
a pale bluish ground richly speckled with brown. 




—If rmii Thrush. 



"The Hermit Thrush (Fig. 28) is one of our 
American birds, but being a close recluse, it is sel- 
dom seen. It is quite common in Kentucky and the 
immediately south of that state. 

but two more of the thrush family 
that we shall notice this afternoon, and the first is 
the fr'il'hu-rr, ,,r,,< >J Thm.ih, or Oven-bird, Its uni- 



196 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

form color is an olive green slightly tinged with yel- 
low, striped on the head, and speckled-breasted. It 
is quite plentiful; but confining its range to the most 
secluded parts of our bushy swamps, it is not often 
met with, and must be sought for with much care- 
fulness by those who wish to study its habits. In the 
way of song it is quite behind those already men- 
tioned, but in the construction of its nest it sur- 
passes them all in skill and neatness. The name 
of oven-bird suggests the peculiarity of its nest, 
which is much in the shape of an old-fashioned 
country out-door bake oven. The nest is built on 
the ground in some dry place on the borders of a 
swamp, most generally at the roots of a clump of 
bushes or a tree. The materials used are dry leaves 
and grasses and the soft lint from the bark of old 
logs. The whole structure is woven together with 
great skill and compactness, and carried up and over 
the top, forming a complete roof, with a small hole in 
the side for entrance. In this tasteful habitation four 
eggs are usually deposited, of a delicate creamy 
white, and beautifully speckled with the softer shades 
of brown. These birds possess a peculiar trait, 
seen also in some other varieties, of trying to draw 
an intruder away from their nests by feigning lame- 
ness. Both male and female will throw themselves 
on the ground, spread out their wings, flutter, and 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 197 

limp along as though so lame that they can hardly 
move; but when they have drawn you a sufficient 
distance from the cherished abode of their young, 
suddenly they recover from their counterfeit infirm- 
ities, and off they go with a whirr, leaving you the 
dupe of their artifice." 

At this point David could not resist the impulse 
to break the thread of Miss Truat's narrative, as he 
had so often witnessed in his swamp-hunting the 
habits of which his teacher had been speaking. 

"Oh, Miss Truat," said he, "I've often seen these 
birds do just as you have said ; and it was so 
curious that I couldn't help watching them. But, 
I tell you, they didn't cheat me mor'n once or 
twice. I know T where there's lots of them birds, 
and I think I can find one of their nests, if you 
want one." 

" Indeed, I should like to see one very much, 
David," was his teacher's reply, " and have long de- 
sired to add one of their eggs to my collection. And, 
by the bye, this reminds me that on next Saturday 
afternoon I propose taking a ramble in the woods, 
and I rdiall be very happy to have as many of you 
go with me as can be spared from your homes. Our 
object will be to observe the habits of the birds, 
Study the construction of their nests, and begin our 
collection of birds' eggs. I am going to take 
17* 



198 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

poor Jim with us, who so well know T s where to find 
the nests of his favorites, and I have no doubt we 
shall have a very nice time. All who can accom- 
pany me will be at the schoolhouse promptly at one 
o'clock. 

" Now let us briefly notice one other member of the 
thrush family before we close our interview, and I do 
it because he is somewhat peculiar : it is the Water 
Thrush or Wagtail. You have, no doubt, often seen 
the species around our ponds and creeks, where they 
are so commonly found searching for their favorite 
food, which consists mostly of aquatic insects. While 
thus engaged, as they run along the shore, they keep 
up a constant motion, jerking the tail up and down, 
from which habit they derive their more common 
name. If disturbed, they fly off with a chatter to a 
short distance, and then resume their search. When 
running along the shore, they have but a sharp chirp, 
repeated at short intervals ; but after their wants are 
satisfied, they retire to some seclusion, when their 
song possesses rare sweetness and variety. The nest 
of the wagtail is constructed much after the pattern 
of the oven-bird's, in which are deposited four eggs 
of a most delicate flesh color and tastefully speck- 
led. I am exceedingly desirous of obtaining one 
of these beauties for my collection, and hope we 
may be so fortunate as to find one during our excur- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



199 



sion in the woods, as it is now about the season when 
the bird is nesting. 

" At our next meeting we shall continue our ex- 
amination of the singing birds ; and so, wishing you 
all a good-afternoon, you are dismissed. " 

M Well, Dave," asked young Van Gilder, when 
they were going home from the schoolhouse, " what 
do you think of our new teacher? She's a curious 
kind of a witch, isn't she?" 

"See here, Jake," was the reply: "don't you say 
witch when you speak of her ; I think she's more like 
an angel. I never could have believed that I could 
have been so changed in so short a time. I feel so 
different and like such different things that some- 
how it doesn't seem real like." 

" Changed in so short a time !" exclaimed Jake ; 
"I didn't think you or I, or, as for that matter, the 
whole lot of children, could be so transmogrified in 
a dozen years. Why, I used to think that books 
and study were just the meanest things under the 
sun, but somehow Miss Truat makes them so nice 
that I love them mor'n play." 

" I guess it is nicer than play," responded David ; 
" why, it seems as though I'd got new eyes and new 
ears, and just found what little brains there is in my 
DUmskull, which I intend to use for a little better 
purpose hereafter than trapping coons and muskrats." 



200 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

"I'm with you there, Dave," was the prompt 
reply of Jacob. "If there's a chance to be some- 
body, as Miss Truat says, I'm going to look out for 
mine, and so I'm done playing the fool or rogue." 

" I know one thing I'm bound to do," said David, 
after a pause : " I know there's lots of them wag- 
tails around Dakin's pond, and Miss Truat shall 
have one of their eggs before Saturday, or I'll wear 
my boots out." 

" Now, see here, Dave," was Jake's reply : " you 
got the owl for the teacher, and you might let me 
and Stote have a chance to get her the egg ; it's no 
mor'n fair." 

"Well, chum," was David's answer, "I'd like to 
do it myself first rate ; but if your heart's set on't 
real bad, I'll hold up and gin you a chance, but 
she's got to have the egg somehow." 

" Thank you, Dave ; I and Stote will go after it 
right off." 

Thus it is seen by a few weeks' kindness and tact 
an entire revolution was accomplished among the 
young Arabs of the district. Instead of plotting 
how they might resist and annoy their teacher, they 
were now vieing with each other for the privilege of 
doing her service — an apt illustration of the divine 
proverb : " A man that would have friends must 
show himself friendly." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ROBIXS, BOBOLIXKS BLACK BIRDS, ORIOLES, 
AND LARKS. 

WHEX the hour arrived for a continuance of 
the conversations about birds, the children 
were all ready for the anticipated treat. Miss Truat 
began by saying : 

" We have one member of the thrush family, 
which we were talking about at our last interview, 
that I have reserved for our present conversation 
because it has always been a special favorite of 
mine — more, perhaps, from some early associations 
than for any superior attractions which the bird 
may possess, though it is not without high claims 
both for its beauty and song. I refer to the sweet 
little Robin Redbreast, so familiar to us all. This 
(bar songster is bo common in our fields and pays 
Buch confidential and social visits to our door-yards 
and gardens as to require no minute description. 
Of all our home birds, excepting, perhaps, the little 
Bparrows and blue birds, it is the earliest and most 
jnized by all children. It was certainly 

201 



202 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the first bird that attracted my special attention, 
and from that day I have cherished the warmest 
affection for it. 

" When but a little child, a dear and only brother, 
who many years since passed away from earth, dis- 
covered a pair of robins making their nest on a 
branch of a tree that reached within a few feet of a 
w T indow. He soon informed me of his discovery, 
and led me to the window where we could watch the 
industrious pair. (Fig. 29.) We could almost touch 
the growing nest, and I still well remember the thrill 
of delight I experienced as we noticed the daily pro- 
gress until the structure was completed. At first 
the birds were a little shy, but soon seemed to un- 
derstand that we meditated no harm, and so went 
on with their work undisturbed by our presence and 
almost constant oversight. When first discovered, 
they had already laid a good foundation of sticks 
and straw, well cemented with mud which they ob- 
tained from the roadside. It was quite rough on 
the outside ; but the interior was beautifully shaped 
and smooth, and was finally finished off with down of 
feathers, bits of wool, and hair obtained from the 
neighboring pasture. 

"The adjustment of these materials was mainly 
done by the female bird. She would take the arti- 
cles from her mate, place them in the nest, and then 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



203 



turn herself round and round, pressing her breast 
against the rim of the nest until they were worked 




Fio. •-*».— WatJting the Building of the Nest. 

into the place and shape desired. When the dainty 
nest was completed, we watched with the greatest 
impatience for three or four days to discover the 



204 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

first egg. At last, much to our gratification, the 
old bird took her place on the nest ; and when she 
again flew away, there lay before our ravished eyes 
a beautiful little blue egg. Oh how we clapped our 
hands with delight and called all our young friends 
to admire our treasure! And then what daily 
watching for the additional azure gems ! No miser 
ever gloated over his accumulating gold with more 
faithfulness and devotion than we did over the daily 
increase of our treasures. At last four little beau- 
ties were reposing on the downy bottom of the nest. 
My father, who w r as then deeply interested in the 
study of birds, entered into our enthusiasm, and ex- 
plained the facts as the progress of raising the fam- 
ily went on. Though our pleasure w T as great on 
seeing the full complement of eggs reposing in the 
nest, it had its culmination when, making our morn- 
ing visit, we found four little fledglings with the 
queerest little bills wide open and chirping for some- 
thing to fill them. How we clapped our hands and 
called for father and mother to come quick and see 
the wonderful little birdies ! The parent birds were 
flitting anxiously around near by, uttering their cries 
of alarm at our near presence to their cherished 
younglings. What a delight it was to us to see the 
old birds bring worms and insects and drop them into 
the open and greedy mouths of their little ones! 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 205 

Day by day, almost hour by hour, we were on the 
alert to mark the wonderful economy of our robin's 
nest until the young birds left it to take their places 
in the great family of robins. In a few days after 
the matured brood had left the nest, with some slight 
repairs, the same process was gone over again, much 
to our delight, and a second brood went forth from 
the same home-nest. From that summer I date my 
interest in the affairs of bird-life and my special love 
for the robins — an affection which they seem to recip- 
rocate. At the present time I have a pair that have 
taken a notion to build their nest on the narrow step 
in front of a box intended for blue-birds, and quite 
within reach of my hand. It is a queer and difficult 
place to build a nest, and why the birds should se- 
lect it, with so many convenient nooks suited for the 
purpose, I am at a loss to conceive, and have flat- 
tered myself that they have chosen this place to 
put themselves as much under my notice and care 
as possible, which certainly shows their discernment. 
u Robins are plentiful in all our northern states 
during the warm months, and some of them remain 
tht' whole year round. In New Jersey and Penn- 
sylvania they may be seen in large numbers quite 
early in the spring, when their sweet songs give a 
che rfulnese to the Boene while yet 'winter is linger- 
ing in the lap of spring.' I have often heard them 
IS 



206 



BOYS AND BIEDS. 



with great delight on some early vernal day as, 
perched on the bare spray, with the great soft flakes 
of snow falling around them, they were pouring forth 
their delicious warble, sweet prophets of the bright 
summer soon to come. (Fig. 30.) 




Fig. 30. — Robin Singing in a Sncw-Storm. 

" The dear robins ! Let us love and protect them, 
for they are among our most cheerful and useful 
birds. True, some careless observers have given 
them a bad name for the small depredations they 
make on our orchards and fruit gardens, and it can- 
not be denied that they do claim their full share of 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 207 

these luxuries in their season. But we must remem- 
ber how small a repayment this is for the long ser- 
vice they have rendered in saving them from entire 
destruction by the noxious insects which they have 
devoured. It has been proved by actual experiment 
that no bird of its size destroys such vast numbers 
of insects and worms. A young robin, it has been 
found, will eat its own weight of these pests in forty- 
eight hours. This fact shows what vast numbers 
must be destroyed to feed one brood of young birds. 
If any doubt this, they have but to watch a nest of 
robins and count the numbers which are fed to the 
young during a single day, and they will be satis- 
fied that there is no exaggeration in the statement. 

u Like the cat-bird, the robin has two kinds of 
notes, one of alarm and the other its song proper. 
During the nesting season and the rearing of its 
young, if disturbed, the parent birds fly anxiously 
ut, sharply crying p ip-p ip, toot-toot, until the cause 
of alarm is removed. The song of the robin is very 
•t and given at seasons when it can be most 
appreciated. At the earliest dawn of a soft spring 
morning it is almost the first sound heard after 
awaking from the slumbers of the night, when the 
mind is calm and tranquil. With a little help of 
the imagination, ita song vocabulary is very suggest- 
ive of the spirit which we should carry into the 



208 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

affairs of the day. To ray ear the burden has always 
the sound of ' Char-i-ty, char-i-ty, clear-it-up, clear- 
it-up, prove-it, prove-it! In the heat of the day the 
robin seldom sings ; but when the gentle shades of 
evening come, then, as though retrospecting the day, 
with its fret and friction, it takes its place on the 
topmost limb of some neighboring tree, and con- 
tinuously until darkness covers all it again sings 
with sympathetic mellowness, ' Char-i-ty, char-i-ty, 
clear-it-ap, clear-it-vp, prove-it, prove-it V (Fig. 31.) 

"Judged by the burden of his song, we should 

hold the robin to be a peaceful and generous bird, 

^ but we must state that he is 

"^SSJMJjfc^ very brave and very pug- 

jf|||MBJj nacious. Let it be a hawk 

jjjjlv ^SHBfip IS or crow that comes near the 

^IBBilif nesting-place, and the pa- 

^^^ ^"/^■liS W ^ rent robins do not hesitate 

^ ^^ te= B^Sk ^° sa ^'y ou k an d E lye battle, 
~"' v,f ^^^P^!SiIf^S^ one above and the other be- 
fig.31.- Robin Singing. i ow> ma king fierce darts at 
the intruder with such pertinacity that he is fain to 
retreat from the assaults. For this we shall hardly 
blame the brave little warrior ; but when it is neither 
hawk nor crow that disturbs, but one of his own 
race, he is just as fierce for the onslaught, often with 
supreme selfishness snatching the half-swallowed 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



209 



worm from the mouth of the other. Nevertheless, 
with all his faults, again I say, boys, spare the 
robin. 

"About the middle -of May there appears in our 
meadows a vivacious little bird, foppishly dressed in 
a suit of black, white, and yellow. He is full of life 
and whimsical freaks. He will often fly straight up 
into the air, pause and flutter his wings for a few 
moments, and then drop suddenly, lighting on the 
topmost branch of some weed or bush with feet far 
apart, swaying up and down in the greatest glee. 
During all these 
eccentric move- 
ments he is pour- 
ing forth a very 
t >rrent of song in 
notes peculiarly 
sharp and metal- 
lic the refrain of 
which has given 
him his name of 
Bobolin k. I Fig. 

His mate is as plain and demure as he is fop- 
pish and garrulous. These charming birds soon 
ad over our meadows and extend their niigra- 
all part- of New England, particularly lov- 
rich clover-fields, where they nest and breed 
1- 




Fir;. 



210 



BOYS AND BIKDS. 



amid sweetness and song, the daintiest and most po- 
etical of our birds. The nest is placed in a tussock 
of grass, in which four brownish spotted eggs are 
deposited. But one brood is reared in a season. 
When the young family has been matured and is 
ready to take wing, a surprising change takes place 
in the male parent bird. The dandy doffs his gay 











Fig. 33.— Wheatear. 

suit and dons a plain brown and yellowish garb, 
takes the keynote of a very sober song, a simple 
chirp uttered at short intervals, and that mostly on 
the w 7 ing ; and thus transformed, he would nowhere 
be taken for the gay bird which so adorned the sum- 
mer landscape. From clover and song he passes on 
to gluttony and slaughter ; for the next we hear of 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 211 

the bobolinks, they have grown fat and are shot 
by thousands as the reed-bird of the Delaware to 
1 the epicures of Philadelphia and Baltimore. 
Nor is this all: they keep on their southern way, 
growing more and more obese from gormandizing, 
until they are known and killed as the rice-bird of 
the southern rice-hYlds, distinguished for nothing but 
grossness of appetite and fatness. For making such 
a sensual and groveling choice they richly deserve 
the fate they meet at the hands of the sportsman, 
and may serve as an apt warning to some other 
bipeds who often exercise as little wisdom in their 
course through life. 

M In England the Wheatear, or Ortolan (Fig. 33), 

has a somewhat similar history, except that it does 

not change its habits or color; but it quits song for 

gormandizing, and soon gets roasted for its degrad- 

- lection. 

u With the family of the blackbirds you are all 

very familiar. (Fig. 34.) They are found in most 

parts of the world, generally wearing the sombre 

plumage from which they derive their name. Some 

Qomeaa vocalists, adding some sweet 

Hand melodies, for which they are 

alw and beloved, though asking a few 

the plant 

" We in America are favored with two specimens 



212 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 




Fig. 34. — Blackbird Singing. 



of these birds of which we may well be proud, the 
beautiful Red-winged and the Yellow-headed Black- 
birds. The first is found along the margins of all our 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 213 

ponds and creeks, justly admired for his fine plum- 
age. (Frontispiece, Fig. 9.) The yellow-headed va- 
riety is a habitant of the western prairies. The nests 
of these birds arc built in trees or bushes, often placed 
on those whose limbs hang over the water. The 
nest is constructed much like that of the robin, with 
the same number of eggs, varied in color from bluish 
to brown and speckled. (Plate III., Fig. 3.) 

"The blackbird is quite susceptible of being do- 
mesticated, and often becomes fondly attached to its 
new friends, remaining when perfect liberty is al- 
lowed. A friend of mine once had one of these 
birds that wandered at will in and out of doors, and 
was a general favorite with the whole household, in- 
cluding the cat and dog, often perching itself on the 
backs of these animals without being molested for 
the familiarity. It was a wonder to see Tabby, the 
cat, that so enjoyed a bird dinner when she could 
catch a wild one, eat out of the same dish with the 
blackbird on perfect terms of friendship, often allow- 
ing the bird to take bits of food even from her 
mouth, and when supper was finished walk away 
from bet strange companion as though she never 
thought of devouring one of its species. (Fig. 35.) 

"It ia said of the common Cow-Blackbirds that 
they, like the English cuckoos, shirk the duties of 
rearing a family by depositing their ^^r^ in the n sta 



214 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



\ 




Fig. 35.— TJte Two Friends. 



of other small birds ; which is no doubt true as a 
general characteristic, but my personal observation 
has convinced me that the habit is not universal. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 215 

"For two or three years a pair of these birds re- 
turned and nested near the place of my former resi- 
dence. Knowing their reputation for this delin- 
quency, I watched them the more closely, and could 
hardly be mistaken in. my observation; and I feel 
bound to make this statement as a redeeming trait 
in their social life. 

"The beautiful Orioles are near relations of the 
bobolinks and blackbirds, and are among the pecu- 
liar feathered treasures of the Xew World. The 
Baltimore variety stands at the head of the class for 
beauty and sprightliness. (Frontispiece, Fig. 1.) 
Black, white, orange, red, and yellow are finely blended 
in its plumage, while in the Orchard Oriole the orange 
and yellow are replaced by brown or chestnut red. 
Both of these birds are quite common in our woods and 
orchards, and easily become familiarized to the pres- 
ence of man. They are industrious gatherers of 
noxious insects, and should be sacredly spared both 
for their beauty and usefulness. But the striking 
characteristic of the orioles is the manner of con- 
structing and placing their nests. The nest is uni- 
formly attached to the outer limbs of some tree that 
has Strong drooping branches, as the elm, birch, or 

How, It is fastened to the spray by one or more 

rope-like attachments! and then carried down in the 

h or pocket, with more or less depth, 



216 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

according to the habits of the bird. The orchard 
oriole makes hers of just sufficient capacity to hold 
the young brood, with the opening at the top, while 
the Baltimore species extends hers to quite a lengthy 
sack. The eggs of the orchard oriole are light blue 
blotched with two colors. (Plate II., Fig. 9.) 

" These orioles in constructing their nests use the 
natural fibres of the silk weed, swamp hollyhock, or 
bits of thread or ravelings when they can be ob- 
tained. By means of these materials they securely 
fix their nests to the twig, and form the outer tex- 
ture of the superstructure. When this is completed, 
the interior is daintily finished with hair, lint, down 
of feathers, or other soft materials, leaving the walls 
of the nest with a thickness adapted to the climate 
in which the bird has chosen its home. In this 
adaptation another striking characteristic of the 
bird is noticeable. In the warm South the oriole 
seeks protection from the excessive glare and heat 
of the sun by placing its nest on the north side of 
the tree on which it builds, while in the North it is 
located on the opposite exposure to receive the bene- 
fit of the heat. Truly, the instincts of birds are 
often wonderful, fairly challenging the higher powers 
of reason. (Fig. 36.) 

*■ But to the Crested Oriole of the tropics must be 
given the palm for skill in nest-building. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



217 



"This bird is not so handsome as ours, being more 
like our common blackbird, with the addition of a 
small crest on the head; but its nest is a wonder 




16. — Hanging 



of graceful fabrication, Its form is a flexible sack 
of two or three yards in length, suspended to 
the ou terra < st twig of some tall tree by a single 
it) 



218 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

attachment. This position is wisely selected to pre- 
serve the eggs and young from the depredations of 
the mischievous monkeys that abound in its native 
woods. It is woven and platted with materials sim- 
ilar to those of our orioles, but differs in having the 
entrance through a long slit in the side. Its depth 
is so great that the parent bird is wholly concealed 
when incubating her eggs. When hatched, the 
young must have a rare time of swinging before 
they leave the nest, for, in the language of the famil- 
iar nursery rhyme, 

'When the wind blows, the cradle will rock.' 

"As I see that the Baltimore and orchard orioles 
are very numerous in our groves, I hope we may 
be so fortunate as to find one or more of their nests 
during our anticipated excursion. 

" In the family of larks the old country is far 
ahead of us. The vivacious sky-lark of England 
is justly celebrated for its singing and soaring abil- 
ities ; nevertheless, we are not ashamed to present 
our handsome though less gifted Meadow Lark when 
an introduction to this species is sought. This cheer- 
ful bird is so common that I need not detain you by 
any minute description of its appearance or habits. 
The nest of the lark is usually built close under . 
a tuft of grass, and is often quite roofed over, like 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 219 

that of the oven-bird. The eggs are four, white and 
finely speckled with brown. The birds, while plen- 
tiful in our fields, are 90 shy and difficult to approach 
that the most skillful hunter may see them around 
him all day without bagging a single bird. The 
lark is insectivorous, and should therefore be ex- 
empt from slaughter as one of the feathered friends 
ot^ man. 

" Rut I Bee that our hour is up, and we must take 
leave ot' our beautiful pets until another occasion. 
Before we are dismissed, however, I wish to give 
notice that on next Lord's Day a Sunday-school 
will be opened in this house, and I most affection- 
ately invite all my scholars to attend. The school 
will be conducted by a gentleman who has recently 
moved into our vicinity, and who has had long ex- 
perience in this work. Myself and father expect to 
be in attendance and give such assistance as we are 
able, and I .-hall take it as a marked personal favor 
to mitt you all here next Sunday." 

A Sunday-school was an institution of which the 
chil the district knew nothing, nor were their 

3 much wiser in this respect 

icbem, who was to superintend the new 

an active and well-informed retired 

merchant who had left the activities of the city and 

>n a Bmall farm in the neighborhood to spend 



220 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the remainder of his days with less of the care and 
fret of the world. Being a devoted Christian, and 
having been the successful head of a flourishing 
school in the city, he felt a desire to continue in the 
good work, and found a ripened field awaiting hiin 
in his new home which he was prompt to enter. In 
the Truats he found very willing and sympathetic 
associates. Nor was he slow in perceiving that 
Miss Truat's success had admirably prepared the 
way for his efforts. Confidence in the advice of 
their teacher and curiosity to see what a Sunday- 
school was, assured a full attendance on the ensuing 
Lord's Day, not only of the children of the district, 
but also of their parents. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

BLUE-BIRDS, CHICKADEES, WARBLERS, ETC. 

THE promised afternoon's ramble in the woods 
on Saturday was held in delightful anticipation 
by the children of Miss Truat's school; and when 
the hour of realization came, there was a full gath- 
ering of the young people of the neighborhood, 
cheerful with bright faces and smiles. Most of the 
eager excursionists had reached the place of ren- 
dezvous before the teacher made her appearance. 
After a brief waiting she was seen coming up the 
1 ; and a tall, stout-looking stranger with her, who 
was carrying a large basket on his arm. The curi- 
v which this event had excited passed into aston- 
ishmest when the supposed unknown turned out to 
be none other than the poor "guardian of the birds' 
Jim Lee, witli a well-filled lunch-basket in 
charge. Bat such a change! He hardly seemed 
me individual. He was fully arrayed in his 
-. with hat and boots adorning his cxtrem- 
ith form comparatively erect and manly. The 
no longer thrust out as a protection 

19 * »1 



222 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

against the expected blows of the rude bo) r s; and 
though his face bore something of its old expres- 
sion and he was heard at times to be muttering to 
himself, he was a marvel of transformation to the 
children. They could not help gathering around 
him with kind and curious congratulations at his 
altered condition. This treatment was so unusual 
to the poor simpleton, who had so long been the 
butt of their cruel rudeness, that he seemed to catch 
the spirit of the more humane relations which were 
now begun, and shook the hands of his young friends 
with great energy, repeating the usual ending of his 
salutations, "Jim knows, Jim knows." 

Miss Truat watched with great interest the new 
relations thus established between her ward and 
pupils, as it relieved her mind of some anxiety on 
the subject. She had entertained some fears that 
she might have trouble should any of the boys show 
a disposition to continue their old treatment of Jim, 
which were happily dissipated by the cordial scene 
which she had witnessed. Turning to the children, 
she said : 

" I am very grateful, children, for the kindly 
manner in which you have greeted poor Jim. His 
misfortunes have been great, not only from natural 
causes, but also from his home surroundings and 
neglect, and I fear that I also must add from the 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 223 

rude if not cruel treatment he has received from 

many of the children of the district. If this has 
d the case, I hope it may never occur again. It 
is a cruel wrong and sin to add sorrows to one who 
lias been born to misfortune. To taunt the deformed 
<>r tantalize the weak-minded is an act of unusual 
city, and could hardly be perpetrated except by 
the most brutal nature if a moment's reflection was 
practiced. You have been acquainted with Jim 
all your days, and know that he is kind and harm- 
less if left unprovoked. Denied at birth the usual 
strength of mental endowments, he has been sadly 
neglected at home, teased and tormented abroad, 
and it is a wonder that he is not weaker in mind 
and more vicious than he is. By consent of his 
parents my father has taken him into our house that 
may have a better opportunity to try and alle- 
viate his misfortune by correcting his bad habits, 
teaching him to do something useful, and awakening 
the sluggishness of his mind. We 
have already learned that he is very grateful and 
lily appi any kindness, that he can learn 

do almo-t anything we put him at, and | 

<>rk with much skill. He can already 

: the alphabet and spell 

-»me other Bhort words, and we are 

•. Now, what I especially 



224 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

ask is that you will all try to help us in this work. 
If you cannot help in the direct effort of teaching 
Jim, do not hinder us by continued ill treatment, 
thus arousing the passions which we are striving to 
subdue. Be kind to the poor man, teach him if 
you have an opportunity, and I am sure you will 
soon take more pleasure in this course than you have 
in throwing stones at him or pounding his wrist 
until it wears the sad marks of your blows. 

"I have brought Jim along to-day," continued 
Miss Truat, " because he knows more about the 
habits of birds and how to find their nests than we 
do. He will in this way be of great service and 
add much to the pleasures of our ramble. I trust 
hereafter that you will always treat him well for his 
own sake and because he is my friend." 

The plain but kind admonition was not without 
effect, for it brought to mind sins of which nearly 
every boy in the company had been guilty, but 
which found a penitent expression in the language 
of young Van Gilder when he turned to Miss Truat 
and said : 

" Miss Truat, I'm most heartily ashamed that I 
have ever been rude to poor Jim, and do most sin- 
cerely promise never to repeat any of these cruel- 
ties." 

" Thank you, Jacob," was the reply of the teacher 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 225 

M and I shall take your expression as the sentiment 
of the whole school. " 

S n as all things were ready for the start, Miss 

Truat asked what route it would be best to take for 

the afternoon, to which young Van Gilder replied : 

M Why, teacher, you wanted one of them wagtail 

g8, and so Btote and I hunted all around Dakin'a 

pond until we found a nest ; but as there was but one 

_ in it, we didn't take it for fear the old bird would 

sake the nest. That was two days ago, so I 

reckon there's two or three now, and may be we can 

get one if you'll go there with us." 

u Thank you, buy.-," was the kind reply; "we will 
go in that direction, for that is the very way that 
.Jim seems inclined to take ; so let us be on our route. 
We cannot describe all the birds we shall meet dur- 
ing «>ur rambles, and will therefore confine our par- 
ticular remarks to some of the varieties of smaller 
- iv blue-birds, chickadees, and their associates, 
leaving the others for notice when their turn shall 
come in the proper order. Bo we must keep our 
sharply all that comes in our 
: ami we can h _ nee, for here are a half 

• little blue-birds calling to us in their 
ifl they hop from -['ray t<> spray fluttering 
their tringa Jus! bear them! ' Purity, purity, die* 
cho • burden of their song. These 



226 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

birds are among the most delightful of our feath- 
ered friends, and are so well known as to need no 
description. They are among our earliest visitors 
in the spring and latest in the fall; indeed, a few 
of them become so attached to our latitude that they 
brave the terrors of our winters by taking refuge in 
some thicket or hedge when the weather is most 
rigorous. Often in mid-winter when a few warm 
days have occurred they come forth from these hid- 
ing-places to cheer us with a sight of their soft blue 
coats and silvery notes ; then I give them my bene- 
diction for the space which they thus snatch from 
the dreariness of winter. The soft cry of 'purity' 
which this bird utters as its prevailing song notes is 
most indicative of its character, for I know of no 
fault which has ever been laid to its charge. It is 
wholly insectivorous, and so amiable in disposition 
that it will be driven from its nesting-place by the 
pugnacious little wren rather than contend for its 
rights. The pair of blue-birds generally select for 
their nursery some deserted woodpecker's hole, hollow 
limb, or stump ; but if you put up a house suitable 
for their accommodation, possession is taken at once, 
and they become permanent tenants, as though they 
understood your kind intentions. I have at this 
time four families thus domesticated in one house, 
which has been occupied for several years in this 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



227 



way. Bo numerous had the tenants become that one 
family was compelled to look out for other quarters, 
and has actually taken possession of a hitching-post 




I '-is. 

at tl which happens to be hollow. Here they 

hav and have become BO tame and confiden- 

tial that die mother bird remain- quietly on the nest 



228 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

however much the post may be used for its legiti- 
mate purpose, and both birds will pass in and out 
when persons are standing close by. 

" Familiarized from my childhood to the company 
of numerous pets, I well remember with what plea- 
sure I used to retire to a shady nook near my father's 
house and spend long, happy hours with my rabbits 
and tame birds, and was especially delighted when I 
had so won the confidence of a pair of blue-birds 
that they would hop familiarly around me, and even 
alight on my head or book and feed from my hand. 
(Fig. 37.) 

"The eggs of the blue-bird are four in number 
and colored like the lighter blue shades of the bird. 

" But see yonder ; Jim has found something, and 
is striving to attract our attention. " 

Approaching the simpleton, who stood peering 
into a thick bramble that was twining around an 
old decayed tree, he pointed to a hole and said : 
" Chick-a-dee-dee" 

"Thank you, Jim," said Miss Truat; "it is un- 
doubtedly the nest of the little Chickadee or Black 
Cap Titmouse, which is flitting so anxiously around 
us, fearful that its egg treasures may be destroyed. 
(Fig. 38.) This bird is one of the most familiar 
and favorite of our feathered friends, because he 
cheers us the year round, 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 



229 




Fig. 35. — Titmouse. 



1 Merrily singing his chick-a-dee-dee.' 

" The habits of this bird are much like the last 
named, except its winter stay in the North. He is a 
greedy and diligeut search- 
er after caterpillars, moths, 
and other hurtful orchard 
pests, and should be left 
unharmed by the sportsman 
and boys. Dear little 
chickadees! we see them 
every sunny day in winter 
coming with the flocks of snow-birds and sparrows 
to pick up the small seeds and crumbs which may 
be thrown them, paying us with their sw r eet notes 
of song; let us ever give them a welcome and a 
blessing.'' 

Passing on but a short distance farther, the atten- 
tion of the party was attracted 
by three or four active little 
birds busily creeping around 
the trunks and limbs of the 
trees, uttering often repeated 
notes that sounded like the 
syllables, " whe-chee, ivhe-chee" 
"See here, Miss Truat," in- 
quired David, " isn't this one 
of the little woodpeckers that you told us about?" 

20 




Wta. '.'/J.— Creeper. 



230 



BOYS AND BIEDS. 



" The bird is often mistaken for one," was the re- 
ply, " but his family relations are quite different. 
This is a specimen of the Black and White Creepers, 
and is placed among the wood warblers. (Fig. 39.) 
The class seems to be a link between the creepers 
and warblers, as its members partake of some of the 
characteristics of both of these varieties. They come 
to us quite early in the year, and at once begin 
their useful service in our orchards, where they are 
seen running up and down and around the apple 
and cherry trees, searching every hiding-place for 
worms and their larvae. 

" The family of warblers is a very numerous one, 

and contains some of our 
most charming birds and 
sweetest singers. The 
species are widely dissem- 
inated both in the Old 
and New Worlds. Our 
varieties are quite uni- 
form in size, though dif- 
fering much in adjust- 
ment and color of plum- 
age. Most of the species 
are shy of observation, 
FiG.m-Far&zer. confining their haunts 

to the borders of swamps and thicker groves, and 




BOYS AND BIRDS. 231 

are much oftener heard than seen, which is true at 
the present time. (Fig. 40.) I recognize the notes 
of two or three varieties coming from the thicket 
on the borders of which we stand, and they are 
among the handsomest of the class, and somewhat 
rare. As their nests are undoubtedly near at hand, 
we will try if Jim's skill will not search them out." 

Miss Truat called Jim, and imitating the notes of 
the bird, held up an egg, which he seemed at once 
to comprehend, and started into the bushes. While 
Jim was thus busied, Miss Truat gave a sketch of 
the bird whose song she had recognized : 

"This bird is called the Blue-ivinged Yellow War- 
bler. The body is shaded with olive-green, the wings 
and tail bluish-gray, while the under parts are 
orange-yellow. It comes to us in May and remains 
until late in autumn, and is busy the w T hole season 
in destroying noxious insects. " 

Just at this juncture Jim's voice was heard indi- 
cating his successful search for the nest, and the 
whole party repaired to the spot, where they found 
Jim standing by a thick tussock of grass, into which 
he pointed, saying, " Jim knows." 

Looking at the place indicated, Miss Truat at 
once recognized the nest of the bird named, and said, 
"Yes, Jim, you do know," and then called the 
children to come and admire the curious structure. 



232 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" Here," said she, " is a rare piece of bird archi- 
tecture. It is, you see, unlike any other bird's nest 
• which we have yet examined in form and manner 
of construction. 

" It is in the form of an inverted cone, and the 
materials are not placed around in a circle, as is 
common with other birds, but up and down, like the 
frame-work of a basket. Now let us see about the 
eggs. Ah ! here they are — five little beauties, creamy 
white, with rich reddish spots clustering thicker near 
the larger end. (Plate II., Fig. 7.) As the bird 
can well spare one, we will add it to our collection 
of gems. But there is Jim's voice calling us to an- 
other wonder." 

This new discovery proved to be a Black-throated 
Green Warbler, with a nest on a low bush, on which 
the female was still seated. When the party ap- 
proached too near, the bird dropped suddenly from 
the nest and fluttered along the ground, as though 
she would draw the intruders away from her treasures. 

" Why, Jim," was the kindly remark of Miss 
Truat, " you are doing bravely to-day, for you have 
given me a real treat in finding this nest. You will 
notice, children, that this nest is quite differently 
constructed from the one we were just looking at. It 
is formed by using the articles of construction after 
the usual manner of birds. The eggs, I see, are four 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 



233 



in number, and about the same size and form as the 
one taken from the other nest just now, but it is 
more thickly speckled and blotched. (Plate II., 
Fig. 10.) 

11 This warbler is more common with us than the 
blue-winged variety, from which it differs princi- 







H. — Xi'j'dinjnle. 

pally in having the blue and yellow of its plumage 
replaced by brown and black. The songs of these 
birds are rather monotonous, but soft and pleasing. 
There are many varieties of these bird-, as the black 
poll, red poll, yellow, and prairie warblers, but we 
20 * 



234 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

must be satisfied that we have met two or three of 
the species in our afternoon's rambles. 

" The old country has one bird of this class that 
excels all of ours in its powers of song — the justly 
celebrated Nightingale. (Fig. 41.) 

" This bird is very plainly feathered and about the 
size of our robin, which it much resembles in form. 
In the variety and richness of its notes it almost 
equals our glorious mocking-bird. It has, however, 
a fault or two not characteristic of our peerless singer. 
It sings only in the evening, hence its name; and 
when rearing its young brood, its voice is only a 
rough croaking. From these considerations we 
should be quite unwilling to exchange our gifted 
songster even for this renowned Old World competitor. 

" On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea a very 
interesting species of this family is found, called the 
Fan-tailed Warbler from the peculiar shape of its 
tail. Whenever the bird flies from one branch to 
another, this appendage is spread out like a fan, and 
kept as constantly in motion as is this instrument in 
a lady's hand. The bird is of a chestnut-brown color 
and very active in its motions. The nest, however, 
is the striking feature, as it is a marvel of skill and 
taste. (Fig. 42.) The birds select a thick bunch of 
grass or reeds, puncture the opposite edges of the 
leaves, sew them together by threads made from lint, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



235 



and continue the process until a little basket is 
formed. Into this the nest proper is placed, made 




I WarbUrt. 

of soft materials very daintily arranged, making a 
very coey little receptacle for four pale-bluish eggs. 



236 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 






"The curious little Tailor-birds of India also 
belong to the family of warblers. One species of 
these birds takes a large leaf and 
neatly sews its two edges together, 
forming a long sack to hold its eggs 
and young. (Fig. 43.) Another, 
more dainty and skillful, chooses 
several long, pointed leaves, like 
those of the willow, stitching them 
successively together, and suspends 
its nest in the pocket thus formed. 
These nests are always hung on the 
extremities of the slender twigs, to 
place them safe from the depreda- 
tions of the monkeys and other ene- 
mies, showing the birds to be gifted 
with great prudence as well as skill. 
(Fig. 44.) Surely none but an all- 
wise Creator could so wonderfully 
endow such tiny creatures. These bird gifts are but 
parts of his wonderful works. 

" But I see that we have no time to talk about 
foreign birds, however curious may be their habits, 
for here are scores of our own flitting all around us, 
chirping and singing as though jealous because we 
neglected their charms for those of their alien compet- 
itors. Having so many varieties to notice, w r e will 




Fig. 43.— Nest of the 
Tailor-bird. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



237 



confine our attention to the families more immediately 
connected, leaving the others to come in their order. 




Fig. 44. — Tailor-bird and N 



" First, there are several varieties of the Fly- 
catchers, at the head of which stands the King-bird 
or Bee-martin, so familiar to you all. He is a beau- 
tiful but quarrelsome little fellow whose bravery is 
less questioned than his habits. Be it hawk or crow, 
jay or shrike, the king-bird attacks with equal fear- 
. nor docs he desist from the conflict until 
the intruder is driven well away from his haunts. 

"Like all the fly-catchers, the king-bird captures 



238 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

its food on the wing, and bears the reputation of 
making sad havoc among our cherished honey-bees. 
But even if this is true, we can hardly afford to lose 
him from our fields, where he destroys ten hurtful 
insects for every bee that goes into his crop. 

" Ah ! here is the sweet little Pewit or Phebe-bird, 
always welcome as one of our earliest spring visit- 
ors. Harmless and social, we could well spare more 
gaudy birds. But listen ! those low and plaintive 
notes are those of a cousin of the phebe-bird, the 
shy little Wood-pewit, seldom seen but constantly 
heard in our groves of pine. Its notes have such a 
melancholy sweetness as to awaken the tender sym- 
pathies of every listener, but there is a general 
mistake as to their import. They are not notes of 
mourning for a lost mate, but the warm breathing of 
love poured into the ears of a living one. We often 
misinterpret nature from want of careful observation. 

" The Great-crested Flycatcher is a somewhat rare 
bird in our vicinity, but I have noticed one or two 
specimens this season. As its name imports, it has 
quite a large crest on the head, but is not gaudy. 
It is shy and courageous, much resembling the king- 
bird in its habits. The nest is generally placed in 
holes constructed of leaves, grass, and feathers, but 
is peculiar in almost always having one or more 
cast-off snake-skins woven into its texture. Four or 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 239 

five eggs are deposited, of a deep cream color thickly 
scratched with brown and purple tints, as though 
laid on by a pen. (Plate III., Fig. 7.) 

"The handsomest of this order of birds is the 
Vermilion Flycatcher, found only in the extreme 
southern parts of our country. Its wings and tail 
are black, with pale edgings, while the rest of the 
plumage, including the full globular crest, is a bright 
scarlet or vermilion." (Plate I., Fig. 5.) 

At this juncture the party had reached the borders 
ot^ the pond where the boys had discovered the wag- 
tail's nest, which Jacob immediately pointed out. It 
was built in a small excavation under a moss-cov- 
ered log, and so securely hidden that nothing save 
careful searching could have found it. Much to 
Miss Truat's delight, it now contained three egg>, 
one of which was added to the growing collection. 
(Plate III., Fig. 8.) 

A- there was a soft grassy knoll and a clear spring 
of water near by, here the whole party rested from 
their rambles, while Jim's well-filled basket was 
emptied of its contents, and a delicious little pic-nic 
enjoyed. When this was over, the children romped 
on the grass or gathered water-lilies from the pond 
with a Best and gentleness which showed the won- 
derful transformation that had taken place in the 

mmunity of young Arabs. The occasion, like the 



240 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

visit to the Truats, awakened a new train of ideas 
and a sense of delight to which they had been utter 
strangers. They found that they could be happy 
without being rude or vicious, and acquire know- 
ledge with real pleasure. Their respect and love 
for their kind and thoughtful teacher was greatly 
increased as they were thus taught how constantly 
she sought their improvement and happiness. 

After a suitable time had been allowed for these 
pleasant recreations, Miss Truat again called the at- 
tention of her pupils by saying : 

" It is now about time for us to be looking home- 
ward, and we must leave many birds which we have 
seen for future description ; hence I shall only call 
your attention to those we may meet on our way home, 
and give you their names, which I hope you will 
remember when I recall them. And now, one thing 
more before we part : I hope you will all remember 
the Sunday-school which is to be opened to-morrow. 
The school is started for your benefit; and if you 
have become convinced by my method of teaching 
and my manner that I am your friend and desire to 
make you happy, be assured that the Sunday-school 
has the same object in view, only in a higher sense. 
For your own good and as a personal favor to me, I 
hope you will all be present to-morl , ow. ,, 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE SUXD AY-SCHOOL.— NUTHATCHES AND 
SPARROWS. 

SUNDAY morning opened bright and beautiful ; 
and when the hour for organizing the Sunday- 
school arrived, there was a full attendance of the 
children of the district, with not a few of the older 
persons, attracted by the novelty of the occasion. 
Conspicuous among the crowd was poor Jim, whose 
wonderful transformation in outward appearance 
and improvement in manners excited great curiosity 
and remark. At a proper time Deacon Meachem 
stated the object of the meeting and proceeded to 
organize the school. The greatest difficulty encoun- 
tered was a lack of properly-qualified teachers; but 
by giving a large class of the older boys to Miss 
Truat and the girls of corresponding age to her 
father, the main obstacle was overcome. The chosen 
superintendent waa an adept in holding the atten- 
tion of the young, and was, withal, a good singer, of 
which ability he made the best use in conducting the 
oL This part of the exercise had a peculiar 

21 Q 241 



242 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

attraction for Jim, whose ear seemed to be marvel- 
ously sensitive to music. He was an adept in catch- 
ing up snatches of the words and tunes, and would 
be constantly crooning them over to himself. On 
this occasion he was especially taken with one of the 
hymns, always a favorite with the lovers of sacred 
psalmody in the earlier days, the refrain of which 
was at once so full of the truth of the gospel and 
expressive of Christian fervor : 

"Oh, the Lamb, the loving Lamb! 
The Lamb on Calvary ; 
The Lamb that was slain, but liveth again, 
The Lamb who died for me !" 

The hearing of this strain by the simple-minded 
Jim seemed to supply the place of the old ditty, 
which his new instructors had taught him in a mea- 
sure to forget, but not being able to retain the whole 
stanza, " See-saw, dickery daw" gave place to a brief 
paraphrase, thus : 

" Lamb on Calvary, 
Lamb who died for me." 

This rendering became the burden of his song, which 
was repeated almost constantly when employed in 
various ways about the house or passing about the 
neighborhood. 

In addition to the usual exercises of the Sunday- 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 213 

school, Deacon Meachem, who was gifted as a lay 
preacher, gave an earnest exhortation, presenting 
the great needs of the soul and the fullness of a 
Saviour's love to meet its eternal wants. The full- 

ss of the attendance and the marked attention 
given to the instructions of the day so encouraged 
the friends of the movement that they felt justified 
in giving notice that preaching might be expected 
each Lord's Day after the school had closed its ses- 
sion. This notice was the result of a consultation 
between him and Doctor Truat, in which it was 
agreed to secure the services of some of the nearest 
ministers, for at least one sermon on each Lord's 
Day, and thus in some measure supply the religious 
wants of the community. 

The experience of the day was hopefully encour- 
aging. The children were orderly and attentive, 
while among the older ones there was evidently 
much serious reflection. It was peculiarly gratify- 
ing to Miss Truat to notice that David and some 
others of his more immediate friends gave very 
marked and Berious attention — an indication which 
d and prayed might result in a true realiza- 
tion of a \ 

On Monday morning, when opening her school, 
Biisfl Trual - ;_ r ht to deepen the impressions made 
in tliL- Sunday-school, and read for the purpose the 



244 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

first twelve verses of the twelfth chapter of Luke, 
and then said : 

"Children, you see what a God you have to deal 
with. He numbers the hairs of your heads; knows 
all your most secret thoughts ; marks all you do ; 
and will bring everything into the light, though you 
may seek ever so carefully to hide your ways from 
him. Let me, therefore, affectionately forewarn you 
whom you should fear. If you will love and con- 
fess him on earth, he will accept and acknowledge 
you in heaven. You should never forget how kind 
and careful he is, and how impressively he tries to 
make us understand this. The little sparrow that 
costs but half a farthing he never loses sight of, 
but cares for it and feeds it, and with such an illus- 
tration of his minute benevolence to insignificant 
animal life asks the question most tenderly and im- 
pressively, * Are ye not much better than the fowls?' 
Ah ! to forget such infinite love and kindness, even 
though we may be in the divine mind more precious 
than the fowls, makes us less deserving than they 
are. That you may be led to a wiser choice and a 
better life is the great aim of all my efforts in your 
instruction. I am trying to make God's works and 
ways pleasant to your eyes that you may be in- 
duced to give your hearts to the blessed Jesus. So, 
when we talk about the little sparrows this after- 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 245 

noon, I wish you to remember that the gracious 
Saviour used them also for the express purpose of 
winning your love and coufidence ; and I shall re- 
peat the beautiful lesson to little purpose if you are 
led no farther than to admire the bird, while the be- 
neficent Redeemer is wholly unnoticed and forgotten. 
Hoping for better results, let us now turn to our 
lessons." 

During the ordinary routine of the day, Miss Tru- 
at did not foil to notice with gratification that the 
lessons of the Lord's Day and of the morning had 
produced a thoughtful sobriety, indicating that her 
pupils were beginning seriously to ponder the path 
of their steps. 

When the hour for the special lesson had arrived, 
Miss Truat called attention by remarking: 

u In our rambles on Saturday we observed two 
little birds, not uncommon in our fields, which de- 
serve a brief mention before they pass out of mind : 
I refer to the White-bellied and the Red-bellied Nut- 
hatches. These pretty little visitors are often mis- 
taken for the downy woodpecker, which they much 
mble in appearance and habits, but the confor- 
mation of the toes at once shows the difference. 
These birds appear early in spring, and at once be- 
gin their busy and useful service in our gardens and 
orchards. Their notes are few, being rather a chir- 

21 



246 



BOYS AND BIEDS. 



rup than a song. They nest in holes, mostly selected, 
though sometimes originally made, and deposit four 
eggs of a pinkish-white color, beautifully speckled, 
the red-bellied variety being somewhat the less in 
size. Here are specimen eggs of the two varieties. 
(Plate II., Figs. 11 and 12.) 




Fig. 45. — Chipping Sparrow. 



"But now T let us turn to the dear little sparrows. 
If they can attract the notice of the divine Father, 
they are certainly worthy to receive some notice 
from us. These familiar birds are found in most 
parts of the world ; and though among the plainest 



BOYS AND BIHDS. 



247 



in feathered adornments, they have ever been gen- 
eral favorites. They vary less in size and habits 
than they do in plumage and the range of their song 
notes. Among our birds we have quite a large list 
of sparrows, some of which are justly noted for their 
musical abilities and gentleness of disposition. 



=^;*?^^fe 




Fig 40. — Homse Sparrow. 

"In this small picture of the Chipping Sparrow 
we have the typical bird. | FL r . 45.) 

"This cheerful little friend comes to us early in 
March and remains until November, often ven- 
turing to stay all winter, especially if the season 
is mild. In New Jersey and Southern Pennsylva- 
nia this is quite common, as it appears in these 
locations almost any sunny day during the year. 



248 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



This bird, with the House Sparrow (Fig. 46), will be- 
come very tame and social if it is fed a few times 










Fig. 47. — Feeding the Sparrows. 

at the same spot — an experiment which I often made 
in my young days. Seated on a favorite bank near 
our gate, I would scatter a few seeds and crumbs, 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 



249 



and down would come my pretty pets and pick them 
up from my very feet, now and then looking up into 
my face with a soft chirrup, as though thanking me 
for the kindness. (Fig. 47.) 

" The nest of the chipping sparrow is built in some 
low bush or clustering vine, where four bluish-green 
speckled eggs are 
laid. (Fig. 48.) 
While the female 
bird is sitting she 
becomes very gen- 
tle and confiding, 
allowing persons to 
approach within a 
few feet of the nest 
without being dis- 
turbed. I have a 
nest at this time 
built in the branch of a fir tree that projects over a 
rustic seat which I often occupy in the evening, and 
so near that I can reach it when seated. But there 
little Mrs. Sparrow sits looking demurely into my 
face, as though she enjoyed my company, as I surely 
do her-. 

"The White-throated Sparrow or Peabody-bird is 

rily distinguished by the black and white stripes 

over the head, and its white throat. It is also noted 




Fig. 48. — Chipping Sparrow's Nest, 



250 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



as being one of the sweetest singers among the spar- 
rows, having quite a variety of soft, musical notes 
which it delights to pour forth evening and morning 
with great vivacity, sometimes continuing its song 
far into the night, from which fact it has been called 
the American nightingale. Its nest is placed under 
a low, thick bush, and is formed of grass, moss, fine 
roots, and hair. Four grayish-white eggs are de- 
posited, thickly marked with confluent blotches of 
different shades. (Plate III., Fig. 11.) 

" The Field or Hedge Sparrow is one of the hand- 
somest of the tribe. (Fig. 49.) The crown is a 

shade of red extend- 
ing down the back ; 
beneath it is yellow- 
ish white, with two 
white bands across 
the wings. It is a 
summer bird with 
us, and much like 
the one last named 

Fig. ±9.-Hedge Sparrow. fa J tg habits. 

"The Song Sparrow closely resembles those already 
described. It is very common; but preferring the 
close thickets, it is not. often seen, though always 
heard with delight. 

"Being very social, the sparrows usually congre- 




BOYS AND BIRDS. 251 

gate in small flocks of a dozen or more, in thick 
clumps of bushes or hedgerows, where they delight 
to warble away the hours as they flit about with 
great contentment. When disturbed by some in- 
truder, they scatter quickly to hide in some other 
covert, where they soon renew their chatter and 
melodies. 

"But now we come to a darling little bird, loved 
not so much for its beauty or its song, but because 
it has compassion on us when it sees the other birds 
turning away from the approaching bleakness of our 
winter, and comes to fill up the gap which their 
departing leaves — the cheery little Tree Sparrow. 
This bird is only a winter visitor with us, coming in 
October, as other birds are departing. True, it loves 
the swamps and thickets, not often venturing from 
its hiding-places, except when a severe snow-storm 
makes a visit to our barn-yards and haystacks neces- 
sary. At such times they generally come in small 
flocks, whose persistent twitter makes their presence 
inviting. In forming its nest the tree sparrow uses 
mud and straw, like the robin, to shape the exterior, 
lining it with soft down and hair. Five grayish-blue 
eggs are deposited, blotched with two shades of red 
and brown. (Plate II., Fig. 8.) 

" But last, though not least, either in number and 
interest, are the lively little Snow-birds, generally 



252 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

allowed to be the most numerous class of all our 
small birds. Travel where you will, from Maine to 
Florida, and you will hardly pass a day or a dozen 
miles without meeting these pretty little friends, 
often in large numbers. Like the tree sparrow, they 
tarry with us all winter, hiding in the hedges and 
thick evergreens during the severe weather, but re- 
turning to hover around the farmhouses and barns 
as soon as it moderates. They particularly delight 
to make their appearance after a light, fleecy snow, 
tracking it over with their dainty footsteps. At 
such times they can be enticed into great familiarity 
by scattering a few waste crumbs for their benefit. 
It was one of the favorite amusements of my dear 
brother to watch, after a winter's storm, for the 
snow-birds to make their appearance, and from the 
same window from which we interviewed the robins 
in summer he would scatter his crumbs, until by de- 
grees he had enticed them to feed from the very sill 
of the window. (Fig. 50.) In this way quite a flock 
w T ould often be seen feeding there together, much to 
our delight. It was a childish amusement which 
has never lost its relish as I have grown older ; and 
even now the dread of winter is much lessened by 
the anticipation that it will bring with its chill and 
snow my little flock of snow-birds to chirrup and 
feed around my window. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



253 



" To share in my brother's benefactions the little 
tree sparrow, and occasionally a ehipping-bird also, 
would come tn the window, and then we had a lively 
time of chirruping and flitting, and occasionally a 




Fig. 60. — M dt with the Snow-hirds. 

little sparring also between the different varieties of 
birds, in which it was evident that the tree sparrow 
was oftener to blame. 
22 



254 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



" In some parts of the country the opinion is quite 
general that the snow-bird of winter is the chipping 
sparrow of summer; but it is wholly a mistake. 
The birds are entirely distinct, and remain so. The 
proof of this is in the fact that they are found ming- 
ling together at all seasons of the year ; and fur- 
ther, that no one has ever found them in the transi- 
tion state, which certainly w T ould have occurred if 
the change ever took place, as in the case of the 
transformations of the bobolink already noticed. It 
is a singular fact in animated nature that birds of 
the same size, physical conformation, and texture of 
feathers should be so differently affected by changes 
of climate. But going no farther than the family 
of sparrows, we find this remarkable fact strikingly 
illustrated. Twice a year varieties of the same fam- 
ily pass and repass each other as the seasons chauge, 
some going south, while others are seeking the 
north ; some basking in warmth and sunshine, 
while others are delighted to flit among the snow- 
flakes or to nestle in the snow-laden branches of the 
thickets. Among those which choose the latter sur- 
roundings, none are more cheerful under their bleak 
allotment than the cheery little snow-bird. Inno- 
cent, modest, and social, let us ever give it a warm 
welcome, with an open hand to supply its small 
wants when the rigors of winter shall make us 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 255* 

grateful that a richer and more liberal hand is gra- 
ciously opened to ' give ns our daily bread.' 

44 The snow-bird makes its nest sometimes in a hol- 
low stump, sometimes beneath a tuft of grass or in 
the thick bushes, using grass, leaves, and other soft 
material for its construction. The eggs are four, 
grayish-white, and spotted. (Plate II., Fig. 13.) 

" Plentiful and familiar as the sparrows mostly 
are, all attempts to domesticate them as cage-birds 
have met with but partial success, and have always 
seemed cruel to me, and quite unnecessary. Surely 
it is more pleasant to behold them free and joyous, 
hopping round our homes, singing their gladsome 
songs, than to mark them pining in a cage, ruffled 
in plumage and uttering only fretful cries. The 
only bird which I ever see in captivity without feel- 
ing a commiseration for its condition, coupled with 
a strong desire to act the part of the generous- 
hearted sailor of whom I told you, is the pretty 
little Canary, a dainty foreign cousin of our sparrow. 
This bird, born and reared in the groves of its own 
island, would undoubtedly partake of the love of 
freedom characteristic of our native birds; but those 
which we have are descendants of long lines which 
have known no other world than the limits of their 

.. "S. This process seems to have changed the na- 
ture of our canaries, so that they love the circurn- 



256 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



scribed habitation in which they are nurtured. Give 
them unrestrained liberty, and they are at a loss 
how to enjoy it. I have several times given my ca- 
naries their freedom ; but they would manifest great 
uneasiness ; and when their cages were opened and 
placed within their reach, they have seemed gladly 
to return to their native bondage. (Fig. 51.) 



2S£» 



^/i;^^ 




Fig. 51. — Returning Home. 

cl The canary, as its name imports, is a native of 
the Canary Islands, where it is still found in its wild 
state ; but there it is not the bright yellow bird which 
we have in our cages. In its native groves it is a 
dappled olive-green, with more or less of black and 
yellow in its plumage. But beautiful as the canary 
may be, its chief glory is in its incomparable songs. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 257 

It cannot imitate all manner of sounds, like our peer- 
less mocking-bird, but in the variety and Bweetnea 
of its melodies it surpasses all known birds. There 
seems absolutely no limit to the range of notes which 
a well-trained male canary can produce. It will be- 
gin with a single chirrup or two, while it hops from 
perch to perch with a little flutter of the wings, like 
the blue-bird, and then launch off into a prolong 
and most musical trill, running through the notes 
of the scale, dwelling rapturously on each, before it 
ends the cadence. To increase the vocal ability of 
the canary various means of instruction are resorted 

lis birdpipes, organs, and the tuition of adepts in 
imitating bird voices ; and this sweet little pet mani- 
fests great aptness at improvement and well repays 
the time and attention bestowed upon its education. 

.id now, as our allotted hour has expired, hav- 
ing noted the sparrows, as enjoined by our morning 
B : .pture reading, let us not fail to look beyond the 
birds and comprehend that which is more beautiful 
than their forms and sweeter than their songs, the 
'beauty of holiness' and the 'song of salvation.' 
That vou mav all wear the one and sins: the other 

he great aim of all my teaching and the burden 
of my pi 

R 



CHAPTER XVI. 



FINCHES, TANAGERS, CROSSBILLS, ETC. 



THE unflagging interest manifested in Miss Tru- 
at's bird lessons, and in the beautiful paintings 
illustrating them, always secured an anxious waiting 
for the hour of their resumption, and a full attend- 
ance of earnest listeners. The pleasure enjoyed 
seemed to increase with each interview as the minds 
of her young auditors became more and more awak- 
ened to the beauties of the subject and skillful in 
comprehension. It was with a hearty reciprocation 
of enjoyment that Miss Truat renewed the interviews 
as often as circumstances would justify, having found 
it inexpedient to do so daily after securely getting 
the fixed attention of her pupils on the more direct 
studies of the school. After this advance had been 
made, one or two special lessons a week sufficiently 
kept up the interest in the subject. 

When the next suitable hour had arrived, Miss 
Truat renewed the discussion by saying : 

''We have now reached the largest class of birds 
found in North America, and indeed the most numer- 

258 






-TV* 



-.• 




1 . Leaf! Tei b 

*•. KiMere Plover. 



7. Qreaf crested Fiv<:tt< her. 

S. Wat.-, Thrush. 

'». AmerK an Woodcock. 

10. Wilfon'i Tern. 

11 White-throated Sparrow, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 259 

ous known among birds — the Finches. The aver* 
age number of birds found in any given locality 
removed from the seacoast, allowing for exceptional 
cases, will be about two hundred, of which a larger 
share will belong to this than to any other species. 
They have a great variety of form and plumage, 
but are distinguished from other Insessores or perch- 
ing birds by a short, conical bill, in most cases with 
more or less curve in the points of the mandibles, 
especially in the upper one. We saw several mem- 
bers of the family during our recent excursion, which 
I promised to describe on a suitable occasion, and 
now will redeem my pledge. 

"And, first, let us notice the beautiful Purple 
Finch. (Plate I., Fig. 3.) This very handsome bird 
is of a prevailing crimson hue, more or less splashed 
with a dusky color on the back and wings, growing 
lighter on the belly until it is nearly white. This 
finch is quite abundant, and a favorite everywhere. 
The nest is usually built in pines and cedars, and in 
it are deposited four or five bluish-green eggs with 
spots and streaks of black. It is but proper to add 
that this finch, like most of the species, has rather a 
bad reputation from its habit of cutting off the buds 
and flowers of our fruit trees ; but in so beautiful a 
bird we can pardon some small faults in order to 
retain its pleasant visits to our groves. 



260 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" The Lazuli Finch is iD marked contrast to the one 
just described, being of a rich blue on the back and 
neck, with reddish-brown breast, fading to a white 
underneath, with two white bars across the wings. 
(Plate I., Fig. 8.) This beautiful bird is found only 
on the Western plains and shores of the Pacific. 
The Painted Finch, found in the Southern states, 
differs from the lazuli in having the under parts 
intensely red, while the back and wings are glossed 
with golden green, forming an exquisite combination, 
and rendering the bird among the most brilliant of 
its species. 

" Our American Goldfinch, Yellow-bird, or This- 
tie-bird, as it is variously called, is a charming and 
well-known visitant to our fields, and needs no care- 
ful description, as you see it daily in going to and 
fro. (Plate I., Fig. 10.) It flies with an undulating 
motion, all the while repeating its soft notes, which 
sound as though it said chee-cheef chee-chee! wee- 
che ! The favorite place for the nest is in the forks 
of the apple tree or elm. Four eggs are laid, 
bluish-white, and nearly oval in form. When the 
thistle seeds are fully ripe, small flocks of these 
birds can be seen busily engaged in pulling the 
downy fibres from the head and feasting on the seeds. 

" The Goldfinch of England differs from ours, par- 
ticularly in having a band of crimson at the base of 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 261 

the bill, while the color of the body is largely com- 
posed of grayish-brown. The nest of this trans- 
Atlantic bird is a model of skill and neatness, as 
you will see by this specimen which I have brought 
to show you. (Fig. 52.) 




Fig. ^.—Goldfinch's Nest. 

"The most noted of the English species is the 
well-known Bullfinch — not because it is distinguished 
for its beauty, but mainly for its susceptibility to 
domestication. In its native state it is quite shy and 
secluded, but it easily becomes familiarized as a cap- 
tive, and has shown great capability of education. 



262 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



Here is a pair of these birds which I drew while 
they were engaged in building their cosy nest. For 
this purpose they seek some hidden covert in a bram- 
ble bush or close thicket, and then they both work 
with great industry until the task is accomplished. 
(Fig. 53.) 




Fig. 53. — Finches Building Nest. 



"The Chaffinch, a beautiful picture of which I 
have to show you, is a common bird over most of 
Europe, and is called by the Germans the * Noble 
Bird.' (Fig. 54) 

" The male bird is deep black on the forehead, the 
rest of the head and neck being ashy-gray, brown on 
the back, passing into a rich red on the lower parts 
of the body, and this fading into white on the abdo- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



2G3 




Fig. 54.— Chaffinch. 

men. The wings are marked by two conspicuous 
white bare. 

" The finches are all more less musical and attract- 
ive birds, and are useful in reducing the swarms of 



264 



BOYS AND BIEDS. 



noxious insects. 






M 






Fig. 55. — Finches at Play 



It must not be denied, however, 
that they are justly charge- 
able with the offence of de- 
stroying the young buds and 
flowers of our orchards, often 
to a most ruinous degree. We 
should hardly want to spare 
them altogether from our 
woods, hence we will cherish 
the hope, even though it 
amounts to self-deception, that 
they do more good than harm. 
Let us still give them a warm 
welcome, take pleasure in their 
play (Fig. 55), and endure 
without grumbling the small 
ills which they may inflict 
upon us. 

4 'You all remember, during 
our rambles the other Satur- 
day, with what admiration we 
gazed upon the beautiful red 
bird with black wings and 
tail. It was the Scarlet Teen- 
ager, one of the most gaudy 
summer visitors. Specimens 
of this bird are plentiful in 



• BOYS AND BIRDS. 265 

all the states in the warm season, and present a most 
charming appearance as their bright red forms are 
seen flitting among the green foliage. The bird is a 
sweet singer, the notes being much like the robin's, 
with the addition of a sort of ventriloquism, by 
which the singer seems to be located in quite a 
different place from that whence his voice really 
comes. 

M The Louisiana Tanager is only a little less bril- 
liant than the scarlet variety. The head is crimson, 
shoulders and breast bright yellow, with back, tail, 
and wings black, two white bars crossing the latter. 
It is abundant on the Pacific coast, where I painted 
the specimen which I show you. (Plate L, Fig. 7.) 
The well-known and pretty Redstarts belong to this 
family. 

u The Ctdar-bird, I notice, is not uncommon in 
our groves and orchards, and so it needs no formal 
introduction and description. There is much preju- 
dice against this bird on account of its well-known 
fondness for cherries, mulberries, and other small 
fruits ; and he does help himself rather liberally, 
bat a careful examination would, I have no doubt, 
leave the balance in his favor. The cedar-bird is 
particularly fond of one of the worst pests of our 
orchards, the canker-worm, and can be seen for hours 
uring these depredators on our treasures. 



266 BOYS AND BIRDS.' 

"A more dainty member of this class deserves 
some special mention, the Cardinal Red-bird or Gros- 
beak, occasionally seen on the banks of the Hudson, 
and becoming more plentiful as we go toward the 
South, where they are very numerous. The male 
bird is a rich rosy red, with a conspicuous crest of 
the same gaudy color. As you saw my live speci- 
men when you paid me a visit, you will concur in 
the general admiration which is ever bestowed on 
this splendid bird. The song is exceedingly loud 
and clear, prolonged through many bars, and then 
dying away with a gentle cadence. From his beau- 
ty of plumage and richness of song the red-bird has 
been much sought after as a cage-bird ; but the con- 
dition is always unnatural to him. He hops and 
flies about his prison to its utmost limits, and changes 
his free, glad warblings to a sharp and fretful chir- 
rup. Like the cedar-bird, he is very fond of small 
fruits, haws, and cedar berries, and can always be 
found in the late fall and winter near any of these 
latter trees whose boughs contain the tempting fruit. 
Being a winter denizen from the Hudson southward, 
these birds are often geen on the borders of the 
thickets, from whose recesses their notes are heard 
on every sunshiny day, sounding so sweetly amid the 
dreariness of winter as to secure for the singer the 
name of Virginia Nightingale. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



267 



" The Blue Grosbeak is an inhabitant of the South- 
ern states, and is so shy as seldom to be seen near 
the abodes of men. Rarely one has been found as 
far north as our lat- 
itude ; but the Rose- 
breasted, a m u c h 
handsomer bird, is 
not uncommon 
among our arboreal 
visitors. The head, 
neck, and upper 
parts are black, the 
rump and under 
parts white, while 
the breast and under 
wing coverts are an 
exquisite carmine or 
rose-red. Of shy /' 
habits, like its blue 
compeer, it is not as 
often seen as one 
could wish. 

" But now let us 
take a look at one 
of the most conspic- 
uous members of the Wl '•■ ***-&*&& 
finch family, both for beauty of plumage and pccu- 




268 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

liarity of conformation and habits — the Crossbill. 
Here is a fine specimen of these birds which I drew 
from nature. (Fig. 56.) 

" What first attracts us as most characteristic about 
these birds is the singular conformation of their bills, 
from which peculiarity they derive their name. You 
will observe that each mandible is long, curved, 
and sharp-pointed. If the two points were brought 
close together and made to touch, the mouth of the 
bird would be held wide open, but this is not the 
manner in which they are adjusted. In closing the 
bill the points pass each other, and are seen project- 
ing above and below, making literally a crossbill. 
This is the only class of birds which have this ar- 
rangement ; and it is but another instance showing 
how an all-wise Creator adapts means to ends. The 
crossbills are winter birds, and make their abodes 
among the groves of pine and hemlock, on whose 
cones they mainly subsist. In opening these burs 
and detaching the oily seed, the beautiful adapta- 
tion of the crossbill is seen. With equal facility 
they cut open an apple or a pear and extract the 
seeds, of which they are very fond. With these 
handy instruments they can also open many of the 
softer nuts, as the pecans, hazel-nuts, and beech-nuts. 
" We have two species of the Crossbills, the Bed 
and White-winged. The first is mostly a dull red, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 269 

with wings and tail of blackish-brown. This species 
is the most common with us, reaching our latitude 
about September, and remaining until April, when 
they move farther north. They are, however, seldom 
seen, as their resorts are the thick pines and hemlock 
swamps. Those who live near these wilds are some- 
times favored with the visitation of large flocks, es- 
pecially when deep snows prevail, as they seek the 
barn-yard or haystack to eke out their scanty fare. 
At such times they are remarkably tame and can be 
easily caught, which is often done, as they have quite 
a value as pet birds, in which state they manifest 
many of the traits of the paroquets. They can 
suspend themselves by the upper mandible; and 
hold their food in the claw while extracting the 
desired morsel. They possess, however, none of 
the parrot's capability of vocal imitation. The nest 
of the red crossbill is built in the forks of some 
pine or hemlock limb, where four eggs are de- 
posited, greenish-gray in color, with reddish-brown 
spots and lines. (Plate IL, Fig. 6.) 

"The White-winged Crossbill is much the hand- 
somest variety, as you will see by this beautiful pic- 
ture which I have made of one. (Plate I., Fig. 11.) 
The general color of the plumage is a rich carmine 
red, fading to white on the lower parts of the belly ; 
tail and wings black, with two broad white ban 

23 - 



270 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

across the latter, from which the bird derives its 
name. Unfortunately, this handsome bird is too 
uncommon among us. The eggs are five in number, 
very pretty, being white, marked with yellow spots. 

" There is a class of very pretty little birds found 
only in America which partake of some of the cha- 
racteristics of the finches and of some of the fly- 
catchers ; hence they have been classed with both 
of these orders, but have finally been considered 
worthy of a distinct place of their own. The bill is 
that of the finch, so we shall do no violence to let 
them stand as cousins to the order. They are known 
as Vireos or Greenlets. There are about seventy va- 
rieties in the family. The general color is a bright 
olive green, with a mixture of blue in some and 
yellow in others. The Bed-eyed Vireo is the most 
common among us, and is a charming bird and a 
sweet vocalist. It is constantly seen around hedges 
and thickets and in the tops of the elms and other 
shade-trees in our towns and cities, flitting in and 
out, peeping here and there with shy curiosity. The 
song of this bird is varied, sweet, and plaintive. It 
is somewhat late in nesting, seldom beginning before 
about the middle of June. The nest is a rare speci- 
men of skill. It hangs like that of the Baltimore 
oriole, and is constructed of strips of bark, pieces of 
wasps' nests, caterpillars' silk, and other similar ma- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



271 



terials, all woven together and made strong by an 
unctuous saliva which the bird uses. It is in the 
form of a basket, and is a model of neatness. The 
only nest that I know of which surpasses it in grace 
and art of construction is that of the Baya, a small 
East India bird. (Fig. 57.) The nest of this bird- 
weaver is made as compact as felt, with a long rope- 




Fig. bl.—Xest of the Baya. 

like neck, which is attached to the limb by a skillful 
knot. The entrance and exit are by two holes in 
the bottom of the nest. The apartment for the 
brooding process is in the centre of the structure, 
making as dainty a house as a little bird may ever 
choose to enjoy. 



272 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" The Warbling Vireo is an occasional visitor with 
us, and a charming songster ; then there are the Sol- 
itary, the White-eyed, and the Yellow-throated varie- 
ties, which we must pass without special mention, 
though well deserving a full description. 

"The Eastern world has some members of the 
finch family which have peculiar claims for our ad- 
miration, among which the Social Grosbeak stands 
conspicuous. This bird is an inhabitant of Africa, 
where its huge clusters of nests have always excited 
the wonder and admiration of travelers — an experi- 
ence w r hich I can most certainly verify, as I saw few 
things, when visiting that section of the world with 
my father, that more astonished me. The bird itself 
is small and brown in color, much like one of our 
sparrows, and is in no wise particularly attractive, 
but the nests are marvels of size and construction. 
A colony of these birds select a large spreading tree 
— generally one of the acacia variety, a tree which 
yields the gum Arabic of commerce — and then they 
obtain a species of long, tough, wiry grass which 
grows near by. This they fasten together at the top 
of the limbs and let the nest hang down, like the 
thatch on a Dutch barn or the roof of an English 
cottages. The fibres are more or less woven together, 
making the structure strong and safe. This process 
is repeated until sufficient dimensions are obtained ; 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



273 



then the nests proper are placed under this broad roof- 
ing, each pair of birds having a separate apartment. 




Pio. 58.—- ( / i\}i of Social Qrotbeakt. 

Fi_ r . 58. Afi the bird will not use the same nest 
a second year, every season a new series must be 



274 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

added ; and as the colony is constantly increasing 
in population, the whole tree in a few years is sur- 
rounded by an immense thatching. Indeed, these 
bird habitations have sometimes been mistaken for 
the abodes of man, so nearly do they resemble the 
grass houses of the natives of the country when seen 
at a distance. The drawing I show you was painted 
from a colony found near the Cape of Good Hope, 
and is true to nature. ** 

" There are several other varieties of the weaver- 
bird in Africa, but the only other one which we 
shall particularize is most remarkable for the sur- 
prising length of its tail. It is generally known as 
the Widow Bird, but quite erroneously, the true 
name being the Paradise Whidah Bird. (Fig. 59.) 

" This bird is about the size of the common spar- 
row, but has, as you will notice from my drawing, 
the bill of the sparrow and a tail that no other bird 
is adorned with. The prevailing color is glossy- 
black; a rich reddish-brown collar passes around the 
neck and extends down by the shoulders, while the 
abdomen is pale buff. But the grand adornment 
of this bird is its magnificent tail. There are two 
immensely long and broad central feathers, curving 
to the point, and two shorter ones above, which 
swell out like a fan when extended, and then sudden- 
ly contract to mere stems. The plumes are set ver- 




I 



SVhidlli Binl. 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 



275 



tieally, and have a rich, glossy, velvety lustre. This 
justly admired bird has been largely imported into 
England and France to adorn the aviaries of the 
curious and wealthy, and with some show of success, 
as young broods have been raised in confinement. 
But, like most birds, it loses much of its vivacity 
when in captivity. Indeed, it is said that when it 
loses its beautiful tail feathers during the moulting 
Beason, or as a consequence of its unnatural condi- 
tion, the bird seems to feel the deepest chagrin. 
Instead of indulging in its usual active pastimes, 
skipping about and spreading its gaudy plumes, it 
seeks the lowest perch or backs itself into the far- 
thest corner, and there sits, dumpy and cheerless, as 
though ashamed of its altered and humbled con- 
dition. 

" But now w r e must say good-bye to the pretty 
finches, and to one another, as our pleasant hour 
has expired.'' 



CHAPTER XVII. 

SWALLOWS, MARTINS, WRENS, HUMMING-BIRDS. 

" rpHIS afternoon/' said Miss Truat, when resum- 
-*- ing her special lessons, "we shall devote our 
time to some birds with which most of you are very- 
familiar; and, first, the swallows and martins will 
claim our notice, and well they may, for they have 
taken possession of our schoolhouse chimney and 
hung their nests under its gables. They are also 
thickly colonized in the sand-banks bordering the 
pond we visited the other day, and are constantly 
flitting through the air and skimming the surface 
of the water. Wherever we meet them they are 
delightful visitors, pleasing with their chatter and 
graceful vivacity. A summer landscape would be 
deprived of much of its beauty were it wanting in 
its group of swallows. (Fig. 60.) 

" These beautiful and useful birds were favorites 
in olden times, making the abodes of men their 
chosen resorts, and venturing even to visit the tem- 
ple where Jehovah made his dwelling-place, and 
resting upon his altar without offending him by 
276 




Boys and Birds. 



illows. 



ra..- ITS. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 277 

their touch. ' The sparrow hath found a home, 
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may 
lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts.' 
Every mild climate has its group of swallows dur- 
ing some part of the year, and every favored land 
most cordially unites in the song : 

1 Give welcome to the swallows/ 
and feels a regret as the season comes 

' When the swallows homeward fly/ 

" We have our full share of these beautiful birds, 
most of which are so common that they need no 
elaborate description. 

" The well-known Chimney Swallow differs essen- 
tially from the other varieties ; indeed, it is placed 
by some writers in quite a different class. It is 
regarded as a swift, and stands near the tanagers, 
mentioned in a former lesson. The tail is not elon- 
gated, as with the true swallow, nor is the plumage 
so gl( 

" These swallows spend but a small portion of the 
year with us. Sometimes in the early part of May 
they suddenly appear in great numbers, and disap- 
pear as abruptly the last of August or first of Sep- 
tember. In their native wildness the chimney swal- 
lows roosted and nested in hollow trees or small 
caverns in the rocks. Audubon, the great bird 

24 



278 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

artist, gives such a graphic sketch of this habit 
that I cannot resist quoting it : 

" ' I found the tree to be a sycamore nearly desti- 
tute of branches, sixty or seventy feet high, between 
seven and eight feet in diameter at the base, where 
the stump of a broken hollow branch, about two feet 
in diameter, made out from the main stem. This 
was the place at which the swallows entered. On 
closely examining the tree I found it hard, but hol- 
low to near the roots. It was now about four o'clock 
in the afternoon, in the month of July. Swallows 
were flying over Jefferson ville, Louisville, and the 
woods around, but there w r ere none near the tree. I 
proceeded home, and shortly returned on foot. The 
sun was going down behind the silver hills, the even- 
ing was beautiful, thousands of swallows were flying 
closely above me, and three or four at a time were 
pitching into the hole, like bees hurrying into their 
hive. I remained, my head leaning on the tree, lis- 
tening to the roaring noise made within by the birds 
as they settled and arranged themselves, until it w T as 
quite dark, when I left the place, although I was 
convinced that many more had to enter. . . . Next 
morning I was early enough to reach the place long 
before the least appearance of daylight, and placed 
my head against the tree. All was silent within. 
I remained in this posture probably twenty minutes, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 279 

when suddenly I thought the great tree was giving 
way and coming down upon me. Instinctively I 
sprang from it ; but when I looked up to it again, 
what was my astonishment to see it standing as 
firm as ever ! The swallows were now pouring out 
in a black, continuous stream. I ran back to my 
post and listened in amazement to the noise within, 
which I could compare to nothing else than the 
sound of a large wheel revolving under a powerful 
stream.' 

" A truly interesting sketch, " remarked Miss 
Truat, when she had concluded the reading, " and it 
forcibly shows us what wonders a close observer can 
find when others see nothing to attract attention. 

"The Hirundo, or swallows proper, are quite as 
interesting. Of these the Bam Swallows are the 
most familiar, as they swarm around our houses 
and barns, under the eaves of which they build 
their curious nests of mud and straw. The Cliff 
Swallow is much like the last named, but differs in 
its habit of building its nest in the crevices and 
under the juttings of rocky cliffs. 

"The three classes of swallows we have named 

all observe one very interesting custom. When 

the time for southern migration arrives, a great 

itement is observable. Great flocks of swallows 

will gather on the roofs of house or barn, chatter 



280 



BOYS AKD BIRDS, 



and flap their wings, then start off and make two 
or three wide circles, and then alight again. This 
they will repeat for a day or two, then rise en masse 
on the wing, turn southward, and are seen no more 
until the following spring, leaving loneliness and 




Fig. 61.— White-bellied Swallow, 

silence where but a moment before all was noise and 
activity. 

"The White-bellied Sivallow is a species which 
we see so numerously around streams of water. 
(Fig. 61.) 

" The Bank Swalloiv is the smallest of this species 



3\ isr* 




Boys and Birds. 



Fig. 62.— Robbing the Bank Swallows. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 281 

in America. It has a habit, peculiar to itself, of 
avating its nesting-place in some sand-bank on 
the borders of a stream or pond, after the fashion 
of the king-fisher. This receptacle is carried ta 
the length of two or three feet, and then a small 
chamber is formed in which the nest is placed, this 
being formed of grass or other soft materials. These 
holes are sometimes so numerous as to perfectly 
honeycomb the bank, and then present a busy and 
interesting scene. The eggs of all the swallows are 
very similar, being generally oval in form and white 
in color. 

" I am sorry to have to confess that in my young 
and thoughtless days I was guilty of assisting at the 
rubbery of one of these bank nests, my little brother 
and another bad boy getting the eggs, while I spread 
my apron to receive them. (Fig. 62.) 

" It has always been a peculiar source of pleasure 
t<> me to watch the flight of the swallows, the swift- 
and most graceful on the wing of all our birds. 
At times we mark them sailing through the air high 
above roof and steeple. A few tremulous motions 
of the wings, and then away they float in long, grace- 
ful curves, carried forward as if by some hidden pro- 
pulsion. Fig. 63. I Turn to the bright, smooth .sur- 
face of the pond or lake, and there the bank and 
white-bellied swallows are skimming over the ^ur- 

21 • 



282 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



face, now and then dipping into the water as they 
snatch the insects from their liquid abode. (Fig. 
64.) How graceful! how joyous! That observer 
must be hard to please who cannot find exquisite 




Fig. 63. — Swall >w on the Wing. 

enjoyment in such rich contemplations, and dull in- 
deed must be the senses which fail to be attracted to 
scenes like these. Of such it can be truly affirmed, 
' having eyes to see, they see not.' 

" The Esculent Swallow is an inhabitant of the 
Island of Java. This bird is noted for the peculiar 
material of which it constructs its nest. No sticks, 
grass, or other such articles are used, but a curious 
gelatinous composition partly an animal secretion 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



283 



and partly of certain glutinous seaweeds. This unc- 
tuous material is glued to the face of the cliffs, where 
it is shaped into the required form, and soon hardens. 




Fig. CA.—Strallnw Shimming (he Water. 

When freshly made, the nest is nearly transparent, 
becoming somewhat yellowed when used by the bird. 
When placed in water and allowed to soak for some 
time, the not dissolves into a jelly-like mass, in which 
state the Chinese prize it very highly as one of 
their luxuries. From a taste of the article, I am 
perfectly willing that the Celestials should enjoy a 



284 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

monopoly of the trade. It may do for those who 
can appreciate cats, rats, and puppies, but to a civil- 
ized appetite it is simply disgusting. 

"But we must not forget to mention the little 
Purple Martin, one of the most social of our birds, 
busy little colonies of which are seen around our 
barns, dove-houses, and tavern-signs where the land- 
lord has grace enough to build a house for its accom- 
modation — an act of kindness which even an Indian 
does not forget. Often in passing the Indian vil- 
lages there will be noticed the gourds and hollow 
logs which have been put up for the use of the mar- 
tins. This consideration for the birds has led me to 
form a more favorable opinion of the tribes than I 
should otherwise have done, for that heart is not all 
savage which is softened by the presence of a little 
bird, and would win its stay by giving it a dwelling- 
place. Our little friend, the martin, is a brave war- 
rior, like his cousin, the king-bird. It will fearlessly 
attack crow, hawk, and even the eagle, and with 
such vigor that this king of the birds is fain to beat 
an inglorious retreat. The crop of the martin must 
be of a peculiar texture, as it feeds on wasps, bees, 
and large beetles, whose stings and jaws it does not 
seem to feel. In swiftness of wing, manner of 
breeding, and migration the martin differs so little 
from the swallows as to require no special mention. 



BOYS AKD BIRDS. 



285 




Fig. 65.— House Wren. 



" But we must say good-bye to the swallows, for 
the little wren 
which has built 
its nest in the 
gable of our 
school house is 
singing as though 
it would attract 
our attention, in 
which it certainly 
has succeeded. 
We welcome the 
return of this little pet of our door-yards as gladly 
as that of the swallows, for they are both harbingers 
of sunshine and fragrant flowers. 

"The House Wrens, as the name suggests, delight 
to dwell near the abodes of mankind. (Fig. 65.) If 
they find appreciative friends who will provide for 
their needs by putting up suitable boxes, gourds, or 
any hollow receptacle, they enter at once into pos- 
session, paying by their tinkling little songs for the 
favor. If they can find no better provision for 
housekeeping, they take possession of a knot-hole in 
the weather-boarding, crevice in the wall, an old tea- 
pot, if hung up, or an old hat stuffed- into a broken 
window. I have known of one instance where a 
pair of wrens actually made their nest in the sleeve 



286 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

of a coat which had been left hanging for a few 
days ; and when the garment was finally put on, the 
poor disappointed wrens followed the wearer about 
for some time, unwilling to give up their squatter 
rights to the garment. This tiny bird is waspish in 
its disposition, and very courageous. An instance 
of this came recently under my notice. Not finding 
a place which suited their fancy for nesting, a pair 
of wrens resolved to oust a family of blue-birds from 
a box set up for their use ; but the rightful occu- 
pants were not willing to yield their mansion to the 
intruders, and so resisted. It was a struggle of two 
days' continuance. When the blue-birds left the 
apartment, the wrens took immediate possession, and 
would resist all attempts of the rightful owners to re- 
enter ; but no sooner did necessity compel the wrens 
to go abroad than the blue-birds would re-entrench 
themselves in their stronghold, and in turn keep 
the assailants out. After two days of* successive 
victories and defeats, the wrens changed their mode 
of warfare. When again in possession, one remained 
inside to keep the blue-birds out, while the other 
brought sticks and other material, with which they 
barricaded the entrance, making the aperture so 
small that the owners could not enter; and thus 
they gained their point, leaving the disinherited 
birds no alternative but to look elsewhere for a hab- 




BOYS AXD BIRDS. 287 

itation. Still, notwithstanding all their faults, we 
cannot spare the wrens, with their cheerful melodies, 
useful habits, ami pretty ways. 
u The Short-billed Marsh Wren 
(Fig. 66) is a pretty black and 
white striped bird, inhabiting 
our marshes and tall reeds, 
among which it builds a taste- 
ful hanging nest. The place 
of entrance is in the side, just 
below the largest diameter of Ftg - eo.-J/ar^ wren. 
the nest, like the baya's nest which I showed you the 
other day. 

" There are several other varieties of these birds, 
as the Long-billed Marsh Wren, Winter Wren, Caro- 
lina Wren, and Golden-crested Wren. This last (Fig. 
67) is a beautiful little creature, and belongs, per- 
haps, among the kinglets, rather than where it is gen- 
erally located. Its prevailing color is olive-green, 
with white, black, orange-red, and yellow about the 
head, and bars across the wings of the latter color. 

M It is one of our daintiest winter birds, and gifted 
with a great many pretty and cunning ways, as the 
following account will show. It is given by a lady 
of great .-kill in observation. The lady had a num- 
ber of pet birds so tame that they could pass in and 
out of their cage at pleasure, often making excur- 



288 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



sions into the fields and groves, and curiously return- 
ing with large numbers of wild birds, of which habit 
she says : 

" ' During very cold weather they brought home 
nightly a party of hungry wild birds to share with 
themselves the hospitality of the aviary ; sometimes 




Fig. 67. — Golden-crested Wren. 

their guests would number nearly two hundred, and 
it was really quite astonishing to see the quantity of 
bread, barley, and fat meat that these little beings 
would dispose of. In this assembly most of our 
small birds had representatives, and among them 
were two golden-crested wrens, who were the first 
to reach and the last to quit their good quarters. 
« t Whilst they honored us with their company 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 289 

they ruled the whole bird community, and what they 
could not achieve by force they would accomplish 
by stratagem. For instance, if one of these tiny 
creatures took a fancy to a piece of meat to which 
Mr. Jackdaw had helped himself, and which he was 
holding down with one foot while he pecked away at 
it after the dawish fashion, this mite of a bird w T ould 
jump upon the jackdaw's head and attack the eye 
that was situated on the side of the occupied foot. 
The poor daw, not quite understanding what had 
gone wrong with him, would lift his foot to scratch 
his tiny tormentor off his head, when in an instant 
the coveted morsel was seized by the daring thief. 
If the daw were unwise enough to follow, vainly 
hoping to recover his property, the wicked wee thing 
would get upon his back, where he knew himself to 
be safe, and the poor daw was forced to content him- 
self with other fare. 

" ' If, after selecting a piece of meat, the wrens 
were left to themselves, they w r ould leave the larger 
birds and retire to a quiet corner, where they would 
both peck amicably at the same piece; and if the 
meat happened to be tough, one of the wise little 
things would hold it fast in its little bill, while the 
other would pull a morsel off, and then the one that 
had eaten would perform the same kind office for his 
friend. Before the winter was over there was not a 
25 T 



290 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

bird in the aviary that did not give way to the two 
little kinglets, and they always went to roost upon 
the backs of some other birds ; I thought that they 
did this to warm their feet.' 

" Charming little fellows I" added Miss Truat, when 
the sketch was finished ; " who would not take a grat- 
ified peep at them after such an account of their 
feats? 

" The nest of these cunning little birds is also 
quite a curiosity, as you can see by the drawing which 







Fig. eS.—Xest of Golden Wren. 

I show you. (Fig. 68.) It is pensile, daintily fabri- 
cated, and so placed among the foliage as to be 
nearly concealed from view. This wren comes to us 
from the north in September, and returns in April, 
spending most of its time among the evergreens ; 
"hence it is not as often seen as it could be desired. 
" Most curiously, some writers have included one 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 291 

species among the wrens which seems to be> wholly 
out of place in the family. I refer to the beautiful 
Lyre Bird of New South Wales. (Fig. 69.) From 




Fig. 69.— Lyre Bird. 

this drawing of the bird you will observe nothing 
of the wren about it, but will, no doubt, admire its 
magnificent tail, vieing with the birds of paradise in 
splendor of plumage. 

" Following the descending scale as to size, but 
the ascending as to marvelous splendor of plumage 
and daintiness of form, we come to the family of 
Humming-birds, an order wholly confined to the 
New World. Nearly five hundred varieties of these 
little feathered gems have been classified, only about 
half a dozen of which arc found in the United 
i tli America and the West Indies are the 



292 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



countries where the numbers and glories of the order 
culminate. None of the humming-birds are larger 
than a lady's thumb, while the Vervain Hum- 
ming-bird of Jamaica is the tiniest feathered crea- 
ture known, not being larger than a humble-bee. 
(Fig. 70.) 




Fig. 70. — Vervain Humming-birds, 

" This wee feathered mite is not only celebrated for 
its beauty and tiny proportions, but also as the only 
member of the family gifted with any vocal powers. 
In this fact we have a striking proof of God's super- 
intendence and wisdom in the bestowal of his gifts. 
Where he has given great beauty of plumage he 
has denied the capacity of song, and bestowed it 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



293 



upon the plainer races of thrushes, sparrows, and 
their kindred. 

" In viewing the large varieties of humming-birds 
we can hardly conceive of any daintiness of form, 
splendor and brilliancy of color, or gracefulness of 
motion that do not find their ideals in the make-up 
and movements of these marvels of creation. Their 
bills are like needles, straight, curved, or hooked ; 
their colors sparkling, varied, and brilliant as a col- 
lection of the rarest gems ; their motions when dart- 
ing away with the hum and directness of a bullet, 
or hanging over the cup of a flower, with wings 
moving so rapidly as to seem invisible, alike astonish 
and enrapture the beholder. 

"The variety 
mostly seen in our 
latitude is the "V^ 
beautiful Jiuby-^/ \j 
throated Humm ing- 
bird y and though 
far behind some of 
the order, is nev- 
ertheless worthy 
of the admiration 
which it receives. 
It ha- a splendid 
gorget of ruby, which a little change of angle con- 




B&mmii 



294 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



verts into emerald green, passing into velvety black, 
and thus with every change passing through a suc- 
cession of transformations brilliant and pleasing 
as the mutations of the kaleidoscope. There will be 
the flash of a bullet and almost its whistling sound, 




Fig. 72. — Humming-bird Moth. 



a little chippering voice, and you will see suspend- 
ed under some flower a dainty little form with 
the bill thrust into the cup, and the princely Ruby- 
throat is before you. (Fig. 71.) It is there but a 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 295 

moment, however, for with another flash and hum 
it is gone. The unobserving have often mistaken 
the Humming-bird Moth (Fig. 72) for the real bird, 
but the double wings, insect legs, and flexible pro- 
boscis should prevent any one but a blind man or a 
dullard from making such a blunder. 

M Of all these gaudy little creatures the most bril- 
liant is perhaps the Fiery Topaz Humming-bird, found 
on the Upper Amazon. The prevailing color of this 
peerless bird is a blazing scarlet, the head and neck 
velvet black, throat emerald green with a patch of 
crimson in the centre, the lower part of the back 
and tail-coverts green, with orange gloss, and the 
wings and tail purplish black. Add to this gorgeous 
combination of colors that peculiar iridescence strik- 
ingly seen in the plumage of humming-birds, and 
the wondrous beauty of this little creature will be 
admitted as almost unapproachable. 

"The Columbian Thornbill is also a charming lit- 
tle bird. (Plate I., Fig. 6.) It is mainly a rich 
golden green, with a splash of blue on the wings, 
whose lower feathers, with the tail, are a rich glossy 
bronze. On the throat is a tuft or gorget marked 
with green, red, and purple. 

" But it would take many hours to describe even 
a -mall portion of this gorgeous class of minute 
birds, and so we must let them pass, only adding 



296 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

that the forms of their nests are almost as varied as 
the birds themselves. They are built in holes, rest- 
ing on the branches, and pensile ; they are shallow, 
pocket-like, rude, or elaborate, according to the tastes 
and instincts of the minute architect. 

" South America may add to its splendid list of 
birds the small family of Todies, of which the Green 
Tody is the most brilliant. (Plate I., Fig. 2.) It 
is about the size of the wren. Its throat is bright 
ruby, back green, with yellow under-pluraage. The 
bird is sluggish and seldom takes wing; hence it 
is often called the Ground Parrot 

u If the old country cannot boast of its humming- 
birds, it has a class which charmingly fills up the 
gap in its attractive Sun-birds. They are minute in 
size and brilliant in plumage. From the peculiar 
sparkling hues of their feathers they derive their 
name. Varieties are found in Africa and India 
and in many of the adjacent islands, of which Java 
has its full share. Here is the picture of one which 
I made when visiting this island. (Fig. 73.) It has 
something of the humming-bird bill; the general 
color is a shining steely-purple, with under-feathers 
of olive-yellow ; the throat is chestnut, with a bright 
violet streak running from the mouth to the breast. 

"Here, dear. children, we must close our delight- 
ful interviews until after our summer vacation. If 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



297 




Fig. 73. — Javanese SmJrird. 



your interest has equaled mine, you will anticipate 
their resumption, after six weeks' intermission, with 
no ordinary pleasure. Nor will this sentiment be 
confined to our special bird lessons. In all our 



298 BOYS AND BIBDS. 

school-duties I have found a daily enjoyment in 
having under my charge such an affectionate and 
apt class of scholars. When I came among you, 
it was with fear and trembling, owing to reports 
which had come to my ears ; but to-day, dear pu- 
pils, as I dismiss you for a few weeks, I do it with 
no sense of relief as escaping from a disagreeable 
task, but with a feeling of deep regret that it will 
be so long before I meet you all again in such plea- 
sant intercourse. Hoping to see you all at least 
once a week at our Sunday-school, and, finally, on 
the resumption of our school in the fall, I bid you 
all an affectionate good-bye." 

When Miss Truat closed her remarks, it was with 
wet eyes, which found sympathetic tears in all her 
pupils, who passed around her, the girls for a part- 
ing kiss and the boys to grasp her hand for a good- 
bye shake. When in the street, young Chivers said: 

" Dave, this is rather a different ending to our 
school from what we expected, isn't it ?" 

" I should think it was," responded the whilom 
leader of assaults on teachers, whose eyes were not 
yet dry from the parting scene; "and it kinder 
strikes me that it's a slight improvement on the old 
style." 

" Well, I should think so," was young Van Gil- 
der's remark. " Crying over the parting from a 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 299 

teacher is rather different from fighting with one to 
drive him away ; but the thing is so, that's a fact, 
though just how it has been done I can't hardly 
make out." 

"Well," was Dave's reply, "I think I begin to 
understand the matter. We've had a teacher that 
has some heart as well as head, and depends more on 
the power of kindness than the toughness of hickory 
rods: and though we are bad enough and dumb 
enough, we are not such big fools as not to under- 
stand the difference. " 

"I believe that's just it, Dave/' responded Stote; 
"and that makes true what the superintendent said 
in the school last Sunday, that 'Love would conquer 
where force was powerless/ If Miss Truat had tried 
rulers and whips, she'd a-been hustled out of school 
in no time ; but she loved us, and we're clean 
whipped out." 

" Well, for my part," said Jacob, " I'll take just 
as many lickings of that sort as she or anybody else 
is a-mind to give ; and I tell you, lads, it's the only 
kind of fighting I'm a-going to do hereafter." 

"I'm with you there," responded David. 

•And I too," added Staughton. 

And off they ran, striking illustrations of the con- 
quering power of the principle they had just named. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

CROWS, BIRDS OF PARADISE, JAYS, NIGHT- 
HA WKS, ETC. 

THE success which had attended Miss Truat's 
school was the w r onder of the neighborhood. 
Even Miss Yost, who had ventured to return from 
her visit to her grandmother's, was compelled to 
confess that for once she had read the tea-grounds 
in her inverted cup amiss, consoling herself, how- 
ever, with the remark, 

" Well, you know, the best of folks are sometimes 
mistaken ; but I was mor'n half right, arter all, for 
I did see the big owl and some strange conjuration 
works ; and I should like ter know if Miss Truat's 
doings ain't kinder curious? Why, sure as you're 
born, there's witchcraft in them proceedings, only the 
wicked one don't push her on't it. But, gracious me, 
they's marvelous, marvelous !" 

Miss Truat had, indeed, worked marvels, but in 
such a way as to gladden the whole community. She 
had corrected one of its greatest evils, and thereby 
removed one of its greatest social dangers, by avert- 

300 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 301 

ing the downward course of the juvenile population 
of the district and turning their feet into the ways 
of wisdom. 

During the six weeks' vacation until the first of 
September the Sunday-school grew in numbers and 
interest, while the more direct religious services held 
after its session gave encouraging promises of good. 
A deep and th< rightful seriousness pervaded the 
community, largely shared by the older pupils of the 
school. The anxious, tearful sowing of Miss Truat's 
mission was soon to give place to joyful reaping. 

The feelings of the children of the district were 
quite different from these generally entertained. 
They had been accustomed to look forward to the 
opening of the school with thoughts anything but 
pleasant ; but now the moments moved too tardily, 
so great was the pleasure of the anticipated reunion 
with their beloved teacher and a resumption of 
their studies. 

When the glad event arrived, there was a full at- 
tendance to greet their loving teacher, with faces 
far more pleasant than the scowling looks which first 
nut her gaze when first coming among them. With 
quickened minds to dual with, and with no liars of 
rebellious spirits to overcome, the work of instruc- 
tion was resumed with an animation and pleasure 
unknown when she commenced her task. 



302 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

In opening her school, Miss Truat read part of 
the seventeenth chapter of the First Book of Kings, 
with reference to the special lesson of the afternoon, 
and then fervently prayed that her young charge 
might be the same peculiar objects of the divine 
care as was the persecuted prophet, and be fed by 
the richer Bread that came down from heaven to 
give life to the world. After this devout exercise, 
the appropriate lessons of the day were resumed with 
great earnestness. 

At the proper hour Miss Truat took from her 
well-filled portfolio a beautiful painting of Elijah 
fed by ravens, which at once attracted the attention 
of the school. (Fig. 74.) 

"In this picture, children," she began, "you will 
see an attempt to illustrate the Scripture lesson of 
the morning. The venerable prophet Elijah is here 
receiving the bread and flesh which the Lord com- 
missioned the ravens to furnish him night and morn- 
ing while he tarried by the brook Cherith, when the 
famine prevailed in the land because of the wicked- 
ness of the people. 

" In this striking incident we have the assurance 
that while God i3 punishing a land for its guiltiness 
he will always provide a way of deliverance for those 
who love and serve him. ( When the wicked are 
cut off, the righteous shall see it.' 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



303 



?^^3 




PlO. 71.— Elijah Fed by Ravens. 



" With the Haven thus presented to us, we cannot 
refuse to give him some attention. This bird is gen- 
erally placed at the head of the Corvidas or Crow 



304 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

family, and has its representatives in nearly all parts 
of the world, though but few of them are found with 
us. 

" The raven is jetty black, and is not easily distin- 
guished from the crows proper except by its superior 
size. With no striking personal attractions, the 
raven has always been a favorite as a pet bird, not- 
withstanding his mischievousness, because of his 
knowing, cunning w T ays and the strong attachment 
he forms for his friends. The bird is a rare visitor 
with us, and having no particular points of admira- 
tion, comes and goes without exciting observation 
except from a few. 

" The Common Crow I need not describe, as he is 
well known to every child, but we must say a few 
words respecting his character. Ever since the crow 
was known a jury has been sitting on his case, and 
has not yet agreed upon a verdict. About half say, 
'Guilty/ while an equal number say, 'Not guilty.' 
He eats hurtful grubs, but he steals corn. He kills 
noxious vermin ; yes, and young birds also, and is 
an insatiate poacher of eggs. Thus the jury bandy 
charge and counter charge, and all the while the 
crow is crying, caws, caws, as though he understood 
that his case is in chancery, and therefore will 
never be cleared from the docket. One careful ob- 
server has made out a very plain case against the 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 305 

crow. According to his calculations, he destroys 
the eggs and young birds of insectivorous species 
that would consume ninety-six times as many hurt- 
ful insects as the crow would devour, and he is there- 
fore to that degree injurious. Being somewhat a 
convert to this theory, I have ceased to shed any 
sentimental tears at the death of a crow. 

" The Fish Croics are found mostly along the sea- 
coast and bays, where they are exceedingly numer- 
ous, as on the Delaware and the Chesapeake. Here 
in the winter-time they can be seen by thousands on 
the bare shores when the tide is out, picking marine 
insects and snails, or floating on cakes of ice watch- 
ing for any stray scrap that may be thrown over- 
board by the ship's cook. At night they resort en 
masse to some favorite grove of pines for a roosting- 
place, where they keep up a fearful din until a late 
hour. The crows all build an unsightly nest of 
sticks in some tall treetop, in which four eggs are de- 
posited, greenish and blotched. 

" The Rook, Jackdaw, and Magpie belong to the 
family of crows. All these birds are easily tamed, 
the magpie being an especial pet, notwithstanding 
that he evinces a waggish propensity to steal spoons, 
spectacles, or any other small thing which he sees 
constantly in use. He seems to enjoy the perplexity 
experienced in hunting for the lost articles. 
26* U 



306 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" By careful training crows and magpies have 
been taught to imitate a few words of speech, but 
they are not sufficiently apt in learning to justify 
the pains required to accomplish even this partial 
success. The cunning of the crow is proverbial, as 
is abundantly seen in the fact that, though they are 
around by the thousand, the gunner has to use the 
utmost caution to get even a chance shot at one, 
while a wagon can pass within a few rods of a flock 
without causing much alarm. Crows are omnivo 
rous and greedy, feeding to repletion on almost every- 
thing which they can find, from carrion to comfits ; 
but they are capable of living on a very scanty diet, 
until it is no straining of a metaphor to say, ' poor 
as a crow/ for to be poorer it would be necessary to 
remove the skin from the bones. 

" Passing through the tufted Philippian Crow, the 
Umbrella Bird, and the Scarlet Crow, the transition 
is not so far-fetched from our plain, sombre birds to 
the gorgeous Birds of Paradise, which are near rela- 
tives. These unequaled plume-birds are inhabitants 
of New Guinea and adjacent islands. No descrip- 
tion can do justice to their splendors; and when we 
look at them, we can hardly become so subdued in 
our admiration as to note down accurately their 
magnificent adornings. I have some paintings of 
these feathered wonders which I will place before 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



307 



you, and your eyes will give you a better idea of 
their dazzling beauties than any language of mine 
could do. Here is the gorgeous Emerald Bird of 
l\tradi.<e (Fig. 75), confessedly standing at the head 
of this splendid family. 




Fig. T6v — Emerald Bird of /'" 



" If we did not see the marvelous reality, it would 

difficult to imagine any combination of plumes 

and colon so exquisite. The prevailing shade of 

the upper part of the body is a rich chocolate brown ; 



308 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the front a deep velvety green, at one moment chang- 
ing into black and then flashing forth with glitter- 
ing emerald. The neck is golden green and yellow. 
But the most wonderful adorning of this peerless 
bird is the splendid flowing mass of soft, graceful 
plumes forming the tail, brilliant as the glittering 
rain from an exploded rocket. White, gold, orange, 
soft purple, and red blend in forming the main col- 
ors of this appendage, but with every slight motion 
they melt into each other and sparkle with a bril- 
liancy indescribable. Add to this a peculiar grace 
of form and movement, and the claims of the bird 
for pre-eminence will not be disputed. This is the 
variety of the class most sought after for the cage, 
and on account of its plumes ; hence the natives are 
diligent in hunting its native haunts. 

" There are several other varieties of these birds; 
but having feasted our eyes on the chief beauty, we 
will let the rest pass, and notice one of a somewhat 
different class, but of almost equal splendor of 
plumage and a native of the same countries — the 
Twelve-thread Plume-bird. (Fig. 76.) Only look at 
this exquisite bird. Its general color is a cream 
violet, becoming lighter or changing almost to black 
as the light strikes it at different angles. Around 
the neck is a collar of glowing emerald green, the 
feathers standing boldly out, forming a superb ruff. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



309 



The tail is a mass of white, flowing, fleecy plumes, 
from twelve of which are long thread-like prolonga- 




FiO. 76. — Twelve-thread Plnme-hinl. 



tions curling gracefully, from which the bird takes 
its name. In looking at these marvels of creative 



310 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



beauty, it is not surprising that the idea of paradise 
was at once suggested as a fitting name. 

"But passing from the heights to which a 
contemplation of these peerless birds has led us, 

we may take the 
Hoopoe (Fig. 77) 
in the way, in order 
to break the sud- 
denness and force 
of the fall. A not 
ungraceful form, 
with subdued black, 
white, and buff col- 
N<^ -RS ors, the hoopoe has 

Fig. Ti.-The. Hoopoe. on ]y t ^ e gaudy Crest 

of the plume-birds ; this adornment is of a reddish 
buff, with each feather tipped with black. It is an 
Eastern bird, but makes occasional visits to Europe, 
where it is prized for a cage-bird and for its use- 
fulness. 

"But returning from our foreign wanderings, a 
noisy native bird, the Blue Jay, is admonishing us 
of its presence by its shrill cry of jay ! jay ! jay ! 
(Plate I., Fig. 4.) Abundant and noisy everywhere 
in warm weather, we need not stop to set forth its 
attractions, for such it has when looked at only to 
admire its blue and black coat with white trim- 




BOYS AND BIRDS. 311 

mings; and I would that truth and justice did not 
compel me to stop to present a bill of indictment 
against him. But the fact is the jay is a villainous 
murderer of young birds and destroyer of the eggs 
of the useful species. I have no words of clemency 
to urge in his favor. He can be spared, and the 
sooner the better, and so can his cousin the Shrike*, 
or Butcher-birds, and most appropriately named. 
These birds not only kill smaller species to supply 
their real wants, but slaughter them just for the 
pleasure of it. Sometimes one of these feathered 
butchers will dart at a flock of sparrows or finches 
and kill three or four before they can escape, and 
when done with his useless murder suspend his 
bleeding victims on the sharp spines of the locust or 
thorn. It is fortunate that they are not plentiful, 
and it will be no misfortune if they become less so. 

" But we have a small class of very interesting 
birds called Goai Suckers, or more properly Night 
Jars, which we must not pass without notice 1 . The 
former name was given from a mistaken notion that 
se bird- were accustomed to suck the milk of the 
animals whose name they bear. The belief was 
wholly without foundation, and could only result 
from careless observation or great credulity, akin to 
the regard for witchcraft or the zodiacal >igns. 
The.-.- birda are of plain plumage, being of various 



312 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

shades of brown more or less mottled and striped, 
bearing no little resemblance to the hawks. But 
their striking peculiarities are in the conformation 
of their bills and feet. The head is broad and very 
much flattened, bill small and triangular when 
viewed from above, with an enormous gape which 
passes below the eyes, with a curious appendage of 
bristles. The feet are extremely small, and the 
birds have a habit of sitting lengthwise of the perch 
instead of grasping it with the toes. 

" The most numerous species with us is the Night- 
hawk or Bull Bat, the bird which we now hear and 
can see high in the air flying with a graceful motion. 
Come into the open air, and let us watch him for a 
few moments, and we shall likely see him perform 
the peculiar feat from which he gets his secondary 
name. There! mark him as he plunges from his 
high elevation, shooting down like a meteor with a 
prolonged booming sound. His wings are nearly 
closed and he seems about to be dashed to pieces on 
the ground, but how skillfully he makes a short 
upward curve and returns to his former altitude, to 
repeat the plunge again in a few minutes! It is an 
odd habit, and naturalists have not agreed as to the 
purpose of the bird in the performance. 

" The Whip-poor-will is a well-known but seldom 
seen member of this family. There are but few sec- 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 313 

tions of our country where this bird is not a visitor 
at some period of the year, and his odd monotonous 
cry is familiar to every youth ; but perhaps not a 
dozen are seen during all the season. He is strictly 
a nocturnal bird. In the daytime he remains care- 
fully concealed and inactive, either hidden in some 
covert or clinging close to the ground, whose general 
color he greatly resembles, so that one must almost 
step on the bird before it will make any movement, 
and thus reveal itself. The bird has a habit of oc- 
cupying some particular spot when it begins its 
evening cry ; but if sought for by merely following 
the voice, it will prove a hunt for a needle in a hay- 
stack. When you have by careful approaches fixed 
upon the very spot whence the voice comes, and are 
sure that you are but a few feet from the bird, you 
find that he has been practicing upon you a feat of 
ventriloquial deception, for the suppressed tones of 
his cry will reach you from a quarter quite outside 
of your imagined circle. In this way he will keep 
any one but an experienced observer running here 
and there on ' Tom-fool's errand,' until he is will- 
ing to give up the hunt from want of success. But 
no sooner do you turn from your defeat and leave 
the victor to his secrecy and song than most pro- 
vokingly from the very centre of the circle around 
which you have so carefully searched comes once 



3U 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



more his tantalizing challenge of whip-poor-will, 
whip-poor-will — that is, if you can catch him. Some- 
times he will take his position on your very wood- 
pile or on the corner of the garden fence, and play 
you a rare game of hide-and-seek as you try to dis- 
cover his whereabouts even there. Shy as he is, and 
monotonous as is his song, the whip-poor-will ever 




FlQ. 18.— Chuck-Wills- Widow. 

finds a cordial welcome to our groves by those who 
are true lovers of birds. 

"But the oddest member of this class of birds, 
curious from its voice and habits, is the Chuck- Wills- 
Widow. (Fig. 78.) 

"Of this bird I have a characteristic drawing. 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 315 

Seated lengthwise on a log, with tail spread and 
wings drooping, the hairy mouth stretched to its ut- 
most capacity, the bird is repeating Chuck-wiilt- 
widoW) eJiuek-wills-icidoiv, with a strong accent on the 
first and last syllables. The chosen place for this 
performance is on the borders of some thick swamp 
or pine grove, where he continues his sombre and 
monotonous complaint through most of the night. 
This, blending with the cries of other night-birds 
and the croaking of the numerous frogs, makes a 
music too dismal for long enjoyment. These birds 
are not numerous visitors to our section, though heard 
often enough to make us acquainted with their pecu- 
liar cry; but as we go southward the numbers rap- 
idly multiply, and by the time we have reached the 
pines of the Carolinas they are as numerous as any 
one could wish. 

" In one habit our Night-jars are alike — they make 
their nest on the open ground with little or no prep- 
aration, and lay two eggs somewhat dingy and mot- 
tled. More than once in passing over an unused 
common I have stumbled on the nest of one of the 
bird.-, especially that of the night-hawk, and would 
almost step on the bird before she would leave her 
When finally forced from her treasures, she 
would go limping and fluttering away, as though al- 
most disabled, after the manner of the oven-bird, 



316 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

to draw the intruder from the nest ; and when this 
was successful, then the bird suddenly found the use 
of her wings and was soaring in the air, while the 
dupe stood looking at the feat with a puzzled ex- 
pression. 

" The night-jars are very useful birds, especially as 
they destroy a class of insects that the smaller birds 
never meddle with, as the larger beetles and moths. 

"The Old World has several very interesting 
members of the night-jar family, among which may 
be named the Long-winged and the Leona Night-jar 
of South Africa. This last named bird, a drawing 
of which I have to show you (Fig. 79), is especially 
noted for two long and singularly-shaped feathers 
which start out from the middle of the wing coverts 
and extend twenty-five or thirty inches. 

" In this bird the elongated feathers are bare until 
near the ends, when they are broadly tipped, but in 
the long-winged variety these plumes are broadest 
when they put out from the shoulders and taper to 
a point. In other respects the birds are much alike. 

" We shall only have time at this interview to call 
attention to one more bird, and as he is so common, 
he will need no particular description — the Belted 
Kingfisher, which we saw last summer on our excur- 
sion flying up and down the creek and along the 
shores of the pond. He moves with a kind of dart- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



317 



ing motion, and generally, when about to take wing 
or just as he lights, utters a few sharp scolding notes. 
Often he is noticed to make a sudden plunge into 




Fig. 79. — Leona Xight-jar. 

the water, and seldom fails to capture the finny prey 
for which he made the venture. His plumage is a 
handsome blending of blue, black, and white, and 



318 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

is not without beauty. A fine crest on the head 
and a long sharp bill complete his make-up. The 
nest is made in a deep excavation in the sand-banks 
on the shore, the direction being somewhat upward, 
with a small chamber at the end. The eggs are 
generally six, and clear white. I remember once 
getting a bloody finger by thrusting my hand into 
one of these nests when Lady Kingfisher was at home. 
A sharp and stinging blow from her bill was a suf- 
ficient admonition that my intrusion was not wel- 
come — a hint that required no repetition for me to 
comprehend, and though I much coveted one of the 
eggs, I had no disposition to incur a second attack. 

"Allowing me to express my pleasure in finding 
that you have lost no portion of the interest which 
you first manifested in my efforts to please and 
instruct you, I now bid you good-bye. You are 
dismissed." 



CHAPTER XIX. 

PIGEONS, DOVES, TUB KEYS, PEACOCKS, ETC. 

"fTlHIS afternoon," said Miss Truat, on resuming 
-L her sketches, " we shall consider some birds 
with which most of you are familiar, and will begin 
with the Columbce, or Pigeons. The order lias its 
representatives in nearly all parts of the world, but 
the most interesting member of the family is pecu- 
liar to our country — the well-known Wild Pigeon. 
These birds we see in countless numbers somewhat 
late in the spring as they come in immense flocks 
to feed in our woods and rear their young broods. 
They are very graceful in form, and some of the old 
male pigeons have very brilliant plumage. On the 
wing they are among the swiftest and most attract- 
ive of birds. They can attain the fearful speed of 
a mile a minute and maintain it for hours together; 
hence it is not uncommon for them to fly a hundred 
and fifty or two hundred miles in a morning to reach 
ie favorite feeding-place. They are eminently 
al, and are always found in large flocks when on 
the wing, and seek a common roosting- and feeding- 

319 



320 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 




Fig. 80.— Pigeon Boost. 



place. This last custom constitutes the marked pecu- 
liarity of the species. A ' pigeon roost ' is one of the 
great curiosities of ornithology. (Fig. 80.) This 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 321 

immense 'city of birds' is located on some ridge 
where the beech, oak, and other nut-bearing trees 
extend over a large tract of country. Here the 
roost is made and the rude nests of sticks are con- 
structed. In the morning the entire multitude goes 
forth * like an army with banners/ forming thick 
clouds of birds, the rush of whose wings can be 
heard for a long distance. In every direction they 
scatter until a large circumference of two or three 
hundred miles of country is overspread with them. 
At night they return again with a sound like a com- 
ing storm, loading the trees until the limbs crack 
and break, and thousands of birds fall to the ground, 
filling the woods with a constant and indescribable 
din. It is a great feasting-time for hawks and owls, 
coons and foxes, and a splendid harvest for those 
who 'go forth to slaughter,' caring more for that 
than for recreation. 

" These roosts have been numerous in Ohio, Ken- 
tucky, and Indiana. One has been known for years 
in Rush County, in the last named state, and has been 
>rted to during the season of occupation by the 
curious, the sportsmen, and the neighboring farmers, 
the last finding it a cheap way to fatten their hogs 
by obtaining nightly a cartload of pigeons — a feat of 
easy performance when the roost is in full activity. 
Kentucky h; ;i! of these ' pigeon cities.' One 

v 



322 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

near Hardinsville, in the southern part of the state, 
Audubon, the great bird artist, has graphically de- 
scribed — an account which I am sure you will be 
pleased to hear. He says : 

" ' It was, as is always the case, in a portion of the 
forest where the trees were of great magnitude, and 
where there was little underwood. I rode through 
it upward of forty miles, and crossing it in different 
parts, found its average breadth to be rather more 
than three miles. My first view of it was about a 
fortnight subsequent to the period when they had 
made choice of it,and I arrived there nearly two hours 
before sunset. Few pigeons were then to be seen, 
but a great number of persons, with horses and 
wagons, guns and ammunition, had already estab- 
lished encampments on the borders. Two farmers 
from the vicinity of Russelville, distant more than two 
hundred miles, had driven upward of three hundred 
hogs to be fattened on the pigeons which were to be 
slaughtered. Here and there the people who were 
employed in plucking and salting what had already 
been procured were seen sitting in the midst of large 
piles of these birds. Many trees two feet in diameter, 
I observed, were broken off at no great distance from 
the ground, and the branches of many of the largest 
and tallest had given way, as if the forest had been 
swept by a tornado. Everything proved to me that 



VXD BIL 323 

the number of birds resorting to this part of the for- 
est must be immense beyond conception. 

" ' As the period of their arrival approached their 

- anxiously pi : J receive them. Some were 

furnished with iron pots containing sulphur, ot: - 

with torches of pine-knots, many with poles, and the 

::s. The sun was lost to our vi 
not a pigeon had arrived. Everything was ready, 
and all ,• on the sky, which appeared 

in glimpses among the tall trees. Suddenly there 
burst forth a general cry of " Here they come !" The 
noise which they made, thou_ :.:. remin 

me of a hard gale at s ing through the rig- 

ging of a close-ree: . As the birds arrival 

and passed over me I felt a current of air that sur- 
prised me. Thousands were soon knocked down by 
the polemen. The birds continr or in. The 

fires were lighted, and a magnificent as well as i 
derful and almost terrifyir presented itself. 

Pigeons, arriving by thousands, alighted everywhere, 
one above another, until solid masses were for: 
on the branches all around. Here and there the 
perches gave way under the weight with a crash, 
and falli _ the ground :softhe 

:h, fore: :i the dense groups with 

which led. It of 

up: I it qui! 



324 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

speak or even to shout to those persons who were 
nearest to me. Even the reports of guns were sel- 
dom heard, and I was aware of the firing only by 
seeing the shooters reloading. 

" ' No one dared venture within the line of devas- 
tation. The hogs had been penned up in due time, 
the picking up of the dead and wounded being left 
for the next morning's employment. The pigeons 
were constantly coming, and it was past midnight 
before I perceived a decrease in the number of those 
that arrived.' " 

When she had finished this description, Miss 
Truat said : 

"This is truly a graphic but disgusting sketch; 
such a scene of disorder, blood, and slaughter per- 
petrated on such harmless and beautiful birds ought 
to have disgraced every one engaged in it, and it is 
no wonder that the birds soon refuse to return to the 
scene of such brutality. 

" The wild pigeon lives almost exclusively on 
grain, large seeds, and nuts, especially seeking the 
latter. Beech-nuts are the favorite food; and when 
the birds can find these in plenty, they seldom seek 
farther until the stock is exhausted. But when 
nothing better is at hand, resort is had to the crop 
of acorns, and it is astonishing how the pigeon can 
swallow the immense acorns that are found in its 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



325 



craw. I once took from one bird three of the largest 
acorns which I ever saw, they being all that the crop 
contained. But we cease to wonder at the feat when 
we carefully examine the throat and craw of the 
pigeon. These organs are capable of immense dila- 
tion — so great that the bird can swallow an object 
nearly as large as its own head. The gizzard is also 
unusually large and muscular. To feed its young 
the pigeon secretes a milky fluid which is mixed with 
the macerated food, and then fed to the squab from 
the bill of the old bird. 

"The nest of the wild pigeon is a rude structure 
of sticks and leaves placed in the forked branch of 
a tree, hardly seeming deep enough to hold the eggs, 
which are never more than two in number, white 
and oval. Two or 
three broods are rear- 
ed each season ; but 
even with this rati 
multiplication, it is 
difficult to account i'<>v 
the enormous quanti- 
QS which 
visit ar. 

"The Carolina D 

laller than tl. i, and not so fine 

in plumage. They are quite numerous all over the 

28 




326 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



country, but do not compare in numbers with the 
wild variety, nor do they congregate in such enor- 
mous flocks, nor use one common roosting-place. 
They may be seen in the fields and along the high- 
ways in flocks of half a dozen or so, and often in 
single pairs. They make a somewhat melancholy 
cooing, from which they have been called the Mourn- 
ing Dove, but the name originates in quite a mistake, 
for their notes are not those of mourning, but of 
love; they are not wailing for the dead, but singing 
to charm a living mate. They are too sweet and 

harmless birds 
to be molested 
by the fowler — 
facts which will 
be respected by 
the true sports- 
man, for only a 
bird butcher 
would kill one 
of them. 

"Of the Do- 
mesticated Doves 
there is hardly 
an end to the variety produced by crossing and re- 
crossing. Beginning, most likely, with the Common 
Blue Bock Pigeon, we have now barbs^ owls, carriers, 




Fig. 82. — Pouter Pigeon. 




Boys and Birds. 



Fig. 83.— Warm Friends. 



Page 327. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 327 

pouters, fantails, nuns, tumblers, and many others ; 
some beautiful, some odd, and some, like the Carrier 
Pigeon, useful. Some of these varieties are of the 
most eccentric formation. The Pouter, for instance 
Fig. 82 . can puff out the crop to marvelous dimen- 
sions. The nuns and jacobins have a curious ar- 
rangement of feathers about the neck and head, 
and the fantails show a rare spread of wings and 
tail. The carrier is a useful bird, often employed 
to send rapid messages and to give intelligence 
when cities are closely invested in times of war. 
These birds can be taken hundreds of miles from 
their roosting-places, but as soon as released they 
will make a circle or two, and then take a bee line 
for home, bearing whatever of news may have been 
attached to the neck. 

"Being raised by man and familiarized to his 
presence, the doves become exceedingly tame, and 
lose nearly all the habits of their ancestors. The 
Blue Doves are the most common and hardy, requir- 
ing but little care save a box or a few holes cut in 
the gable of a barn or outhouse. With these pro- 
visions they are satisfied, as they will feed among 
the poultry and multiply with great rapidity. 

" They will enter the stable and get on good terms 
with the fa -ding out of the manger with 

great familiarity. (Fig. 83.) Sometimes they will 



328 



BOYS AND BIKDS. 




Fig. 84. — Adopted into the Family. 



take a notion to form associations with creatures 
which are natural enemies, as an instance which 
once came under my notice will illustrate. A dove 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 329 

of the common sort unfortunately lost its mate, and 
for days was moping about quite inconsolable. In 
this condition it happened to come near an old cat 
occupying a basket with a litter of young kittens. 
For some cause it seemed to take a great liking to 
Madame Puss. It \vas perhaps because puss looked 
so benevolent and motherly; at any rate, the dove 
hopped into the basket, and after a short contem- 
plation nestled down by the little kitties, and was 
seemingly consoled for its loss. The old cat gave 
a searching look at the disconsolate intruder, and 
seemed to take in the situation; for, with a benevo- 
lent purr, she made room for the new-comer, and 
accepted it as a member of the family. (Fig. 84.) 

" The dove has a sanctified record. It first proved 
to the inhabitants of the ark that the flood had ceased 
from off the face of the earth, by presenting the olive 
leaf, which has ever since been a sign of peace. It 
was also an accepted sacrifice at God's altar, and 
finally became the visible embodiment of the divine 
Spirit as it hovered over the only begotten Son of 
God when he came up from the waters of the Jor- 
dan. From that hour God's people have lovingly 
and imploringly sung, 

'Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove/ 
"The pigeons are a kind of a transition order. 

2- • 



330 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

They are perchers, like the Insessorial birds, and 
scratchers, like the Gallince; hence in passing from 
them we very naturally take up this latter order, 
otherwise known as Terrestrial Birds. The mem- 
bers of this family are distinguished for the strength 
of their legs and toes ; and for short, concave wings, 
conferring ability for rapid but unprotracted flight. 
They occasionally light on perches, but only when 
flushed, seeking safety, or for roosting. The nests 
are on the ground, and are rude in construction ; the 
eggs numerous, varying from one to two dozen. A 
striking peculiarity of this class, shared also by the 
swimming birds, is that the young are able to leave 
the nest as soon as hatched, often carrying pieces of 
the shell still attached to them. In all the classes 
of birds we have before noticed the young are blind 
when first hatched, and perfectly helpless, requiring 
many days of careful nursing and feeding before 
they can take care of themselves. Thus we can see 
how variously God endows creatures which have the 
same general characteristics. 

"The Gallince are distinguished for their excel- 
lence as an article of diet, furnishing alike the tables 
of the poor with their Christmas chicken and the 
rich with their dainty partridge or fattened turkey. 
To the excellence of this last-named bird the whole 
world has borne its testimony. It is singular, how- 






BOYS AND BIRDS. 



331 




*l»*^^* -* = ^ , -~ v^ LT 



^o^4-ii 



Fig. 85.— Will T 



being exclusively a native of the Nen 
W< rid, il should cr< i oame. Its 



332 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

Oriental designation was a mistake which neither 
time nor determination has been able to correct. 
We claim the bird as a native American, and shall 
insist on the rights and glories of our turkeys. 

" Of the tame turkey I need say nothing, as you 
are familiar with his looks and qualities ; but of 
the wild variety we have a number of facts which 
may be new and interesting. This splendid bird 
(Fig. 85) much resembles our common brown tur- 
key, only a little darker in color; at least, this has 
been the case with the numbers which have come 
under my notice. 

" The native haunts of the wild turkey are the 
Middle States, being unusually numerous in Virginia, 
Kentucky, Tennessee, and the states immediately west 
of these. A few are still found among the mountains 
of Pennsylvania, where it is said they were once very 
plentiful. Like the Indian, the buffalo, and the deer, 
the turkeys seem to melt away before the march 
of civilization, and soon we shall have only the do- 
mesticated bird to remind us of the extinct native 
race. 

" During the warm months the turkeys scatter to 
nest and feed on the borders of swamps and thickets, 
but as cold weather approaches they gather in small 
flocks to fatten on the rich stores of mast with which 
the ground is covered. At this season in their 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 333 

chosen ranges their 'scratchings' are often found by 
the hunter, and the gobblings of the rival males heard 
not far off. They seldom take wing, not even when 
disturbed, if they can avoid it, but trust to their fleet- 
ness of foot, which is very great. Their flight is so 
short that, when compelled to cross a broad stream, 
they spend two or three days, strutting and jabber- 
ing over the matter, before they can screw up suffi- 
cient courage to make the attempt. AVhen the thing 
is decided, they ascend to the top of the highest tree 
on the shore, and then, at a given cluck of the vete- 
ran leader, they all launch away, some to reach the 
opposite shore and some to fall into the water and 
reach land as best they can, which they generally do, 
the worse only by a good wetting. 

" Being so much prized for the table, the w T ild tur- 
keys are hunted and trapped with great enthusiasm. 
The latter manner of taking them is somewhat curi- 
ous, and illustrates the stupidity of the bird. A 
large pen is made of light poles and covered over. 
Then, beginning two or three rods off, a trench is 
dug, growing deeper and deeper until it passes under 
tlie enclosure, where there is depth enough for a tur- 
key t<» enter. The trench comes to the surface within 
tie- pen, a cover being laid over it near the wall. 
!i i- now dropped along leading to the ditch, and 

lugh it into tin- enclosure. This trail the unsus- 



334 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

pecting turkeys follow until they are led inside, 
when the bait suddenly ceases. The birds begin at 
once to seek an outlet from their prison, but only 
continue running round and round the enclosure 
with heads up, poking here and there through 
the crevices, never once stooping to find the open 
ditch through which they entered. Very simple, 
some may say, but not more so than classes of more 
pretending bipeds who are often snared to their ruin 
by keeping their heads too high. 

" Turkeys have a curious custom of amusing 
themselves in what is called a ' turkey dance,' prac- 
ticed by both the wild and tame varieties. After 
they have satisfied their appetites, they will seek 
some warm sunny bank and soon begin their amuse- 
ment. The old gobblers will strut and trail their 
wings, spread their tails, and utter their garrulous 
notes, -while the hens dance about with equal ani- 
mation, crying, Quit, quit After a sufficient pre- 
lude, they all begin to hop and dance, passing and 
repassing each other in quite a well-set figure, keep- 
ing it up for some time, when, with a general gob- 
bling all round, they come to a pause. After a brief 
rest, the same performance is gone through again, 
and repeated until the birds are satisfied. 

" The Peacock (Fig. 86) is the Asiatic representa- 
tive of the turkey family. The female of this class 




Boys and Birds. 



Page 33o. 



Fig. 87.— Group of Peacocks. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



335 




Fig. SQ.— Peacock. 



differs but little from the 
hen turkey, but the male 
is justly celebrated for 
his magnificent tail. This 
adornment has led to the 
domestication of the bird; 
for though it is still eaten 
and was once regarded 
as a rare delicacy, it has 
now no great value as an 
article of food. The tail 
of the peacock when ful- 
ly spread is indeed a sight 
to behold. All the shades of the rainbow dazzle and 
sparkle in its plumes, while their daintily-dyed and 
fringed terminations are surpassingly gorgeous. (Fig. 
87.) Its very monotony of splendor, however, de- 
tracts from its merits, and leaves the palm of beauty 
to the birds of Paradise, already noticed. 

" The peacock has been extensively domesticated 
in all countries, and was one of the peculiar trea- 
sures which added to the glories of Solomon's wealth. 

"Perhaps next to the peacock the Argus Pheasant 
Fig. 88) deserves mention as a beautiful variety of 
the ChUlimB. This bird is a native of Sumatra and 
neighboring localities, and ig justly celebrated. 

M In the order of beauty the wings take the place 



336 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



of the tail in this pheasant. The tail is formed of 
two immensely prolonged feathers supported by 




some shorter ones at the base, but the wings are 
gorgeous. The colors are rich black, brown, orange, 
fawn, olive, and white, and so spread on as to make 
the plumes seem to be full of eyes. Although the 
argus is not larger than the common owl, its length, 




Boys ai. 



Fig. 88.— Argus Pheasant. 



Page 336. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 337 

including the tail, is more than five feet. It is not 
so easily domesticated, and hence is not often seen 
in a live state, but my beautiful picture gives you 
a good idea of the bird, and I need say no more 
about him. 

" The whole race of plumed pheasants were origi- 
nally natives of Asia Minor, but have been intro- 
duced into many parts of Europe, where they have 
multiplied and become naturalized. Of these natur- 
alized birds the Golden Pheasants of England and 
the Continent (Fig. 89) stand pre-eminent. 

" This bird is celebrated not only for its beauty 
of plumage, but its excellent table qualities also. 
Its crest is golden-yellow, with a tinge of carmine, 
while orange, black, green, yellow, crimson, and 
scarlet complete the rich coloring of its plumage. 

"The Silver Pheasant (Fig. 90) is a little less 
attractive than its golden cousin. 

M The crest on the head is purple black, and a like 
color covers the breast and abdomen ; the back and 
wings are silver-white delicately penciled with black, 
the long tail corresponding, except the two central 
feathers, which are pure white. 

" These pheasants were originally natives of China, 
which country deserves special thanks for sending 
Buch beautiful additions to the stock of the ' outside 
barbarians.' A few more such rich gifts would 

W 



338 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



almost induce us to pardon the low estimation which 
the Chinese place upon the civilization of the world. 




Fig. 90. — Silver Pheasants, 



But here another of our pleasant interviews must 
close.'' 



CHAPTER XX. 

DOMESTIC FOWLS, PARTRIDGES, AND OSTRICHES. 

TT7HEN the next opportunity occurred for the 
' ' pleasant bird-talks, Miss Truat said to her 
pupils : 

" At our last interview we closed our conversation 
by a reference to the pheasants and their importation 
into other countries where they have become natur- 
alized. These birds naturally grade into the Jun- 
gle Fowls, which are considered the typical Gallium 
and the great ancestors of our barn-yard poultry. 
Like the pigeons, these birds have been domesticated, 
crossed, and recrossed until we have an almost end- 
less variety, from the sharp, hard-featured game 
fowl, which still retains most of the native type 
both in form and disposition, to the full-breasted, 
gentle, motherly old hen (Fig. 91) which sings and 
clucks around our door-yards. We need not stop 
to describe the common or fancy breeds of poultry 
which have been produced, nor enter into the 
'chicken war' in asserting the superior merits of 

339 




340 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

some favorite birds. All can please themselves. 
We have short legs and long legs, high combs and 

low combs, clean polls 
and top-knots, dorkings 
and cochins, bantams 
and black Spanish, all 
having their merits and 
their advocates. We 
love them all — love 
them for the nice eggs 
which they lay for us, 
tig. VL-Domestic Hen. au( } t h e rich broils and 

Christmas roasts which they furnish. Nor are our 
affections all based on this lower consideration. We 
love them for their social qualities. Well do I re- 
member an old hen that we had called * Old Ducky/ 
and the childish joy with which I used to feed her 
and her little brood from my bowl of bread and 
milk. She learned to know the rap of my spoon as 
well as I did the tinkle of the dinner-bell, and would 
cluck her callow charge to my side at once, ready 
for the free share which she knew her young family 
would surely get. (Fig. 92.) 

"There Biddy would stand and watch the drip 
from my spoon with such a thankful expression, 
while her little chicks were busy at my feet picking 
up the tit-bits. And then with what pride myself 




i BinJs. 



■-'.— feeding the Chickens. 



Page 340. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



341 



and little brother would watch the growth of the wee 
things, nursing and tending them day by day! and 
when grown, how we delighted to show them to our 







.—Showing the Ckkkent, 



admiring friends (Fig. 93), and expatiate on their 
growth and beauty ! 
29 » 



342 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" All this may seem very childish ; yet I love to 
recall this 

'Light of other days/ 

for it has a charm that the lapse of years only makes 
brighter and sweeter. Ah ! be assured, children, that 
the pictures of memory which you will have to con- 
template in after years are getting their shadings 
from the scenes which you are now beholding; 
and you will have many a one, as I have proved, 
which will not bring to you so much pleasure as the 
picture of 'Old Ducky' and her family, painted 
in mQjnory long ago, does to me. Try to make 
happy the days of childhood, and the clouds will 
not hang so gloomy and dark over the coming 
days when you will say, ' I have no pleasure in them/ 
The love of an old hen and her chickens is worth 
striving for, and is a sweeter recollection than many 
a striking scene and great success where the heart 
felt no impulses but those of selfishness. But let us 
go on with our lessons. 

" Leaving the foreign pheasants and their domes- 
ticated descendants, we turn to a handsome native 
group, known under the various names of grouse, 
partridges, and quails. These birds, in some of their 
varieties, are found from the Arctic snows to the 
everglades of Florida. They are of the same gene- 



HOYS AND BIRDS. 343 

nil dusky brown, with more or less individual mark- 
ings. Some have crests ; some, tufted necks ; and 
most, feathered legs. On the Western plains they 
are known as Prairie Chickens ; in Canada as Canada 
Grouse, or Spruce Partridge; while with us the Ruf- 
fled Grouse is best known. This bird has the gen- 
eral reddish-brown colors of the order, but is distin- 
guished for the elegant ruff encircling the neck. 
It remains with us the year round, and has some 
very interesting habits. When a deep snow falls, 
accompanied by wind and drifting, this bird takes 
shelter by diving into a snow-bank, where it will 
remain until the storm ceases, and then coni£ forth 
to feed on the buds and seeds. I have more than 
once seen the birds start up from almost beneath my 
feet, where not the least disturbance of the snow in- 
dicated their concealment. But the most interesting 
custom of this bird is its habit of ' drumming.' 
This performance is begun early in the spring; in- 
deed, I have heard it on warm days before the snows 
had disappeared. The male bird, which only in- 
dulges in the pastime, seats himself astride some old 
log covered with soft moss, and then beats the log 
with his extended wings, making a hollow drumming 
sound which can be heard for a long distance. The 
movement is slow at first, but rapidly increases until 
it is quick as the roll of a drum. This performance 



344 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



will be continued sometimes for hours, with various 
intervals ; and, like the whip-poor-will, the bird has 
the power of so modifying the sound as to wholly 
deceive the listener as to the distance. 

" The Canada Grouse is a rare bird with us, and 
confines its range to the thick woods and swamps- 
Its eggs are among the most beautiful that are laid, 
and I had long desired to add one to my collection, 
but should probably have failed except for the skill 
and assistance of poor Jim Lee. Making him com- 
prehend my wants, after careful searching for many 
days he found the prize ; the nest was hid away 
underneath the low and widespreading boughs of a 
hemlock, and contained twelve eggs like this beauty 

which I show you. 
(Plate II., Fig. 5.) 
It is of a beautiful 
yellow - buff color, 
w i t h spots and 
blotches of tw T o 
shades of rich 
brown, and oval in 
form. I hold it as 
among my richest 
egg treasures. 

Fig. <&.-Bob^Yldte. « Bllt passing the 

grouse or partridges, we come to a very common 




BOYS AND BIRDS. 



345 



bird, the Quail, or Bob-Write (Fig. 94), as he is 
more familiarly called. 

"In the South this bird is known as the Vir- 
ginia Partridge, and it is not definitely settled which 
name is the proper one ; but he is a nice bird, call 
him by what name they please. The common quails 
are so well known as to need no description. They 
differ but little, whether found in the Xorth or South, 
the main variation being more or less white, es- 
pecially under the 
throat. (Fig. 95.) On 
the Western plains 
and the Pacific coast, 
however, there are 
several varieties with 
distinct and peculiar 
markings. Several Fl hr^ted Quail. 

of them are found in California. 

"One of these varieties has two long plumes which 
put out from the head and fall down very grace- 
fully over the back ; but another, and the most beau- 
tiful, shows five splendid feathers starting from the 
top of the head and recurved over the forehead, 
forming a magnificent crest, as you see in my picture. 
96.) 

" One more bird we must name before we close our 
»n, as it stands with its compeers halfway be- 




346 



BOYS AND BIEDS. 



tween the order we have been considering and the 
next most prominent one, which will be the subject 
of our next conversation. The Ostrich is something 
of a scratcher ; and though not a Wader, he has very 
long legs, which he well knows how to use; h^nce 
he is properly placed at the head of the Cursores, or 
running birds. 




^^ 



Fig. 96. — California Quail. 



"From an inspection of the specimen which you 
saw in my collection, you will understand how appro- 
priately it has been named. The bird cannot fly, 
but it has little need of wings to enable it to escape, 
as it can outstrip the fleetest horse. In the thirty- 
ninth chapter of Job we find a striking allusion to 
this fact : ' What time she lifteth herself on high, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



347 



she scorneth the horse and his rider.' All who have 
seen the ostrich in its native condition have testified 
to the truth of this description. 

" The ostrich is the largest of all known existing 
birds. (Fig. 97.) It inhabits the hot deserts of Af- 




Fig. 97.— Ostrich. 



rica, for which locality God has especially endowed 
it, though we should think that its abundant cover- 
ing of thick downy plumes would be inconveniently 
warm in that hot climate. The birds vary some- 



348 



BOYS AND BIEDS. 



what in size, ranging from six to eight feet in height, 
the long neck comprising nearly one-half the measure. 
The colors of the rich plumes are generally black 
and white, the latter color prevailing on the tail and 
the under parts of the bird. These feathers have 
considerable value as adornments for military pur- 
poses and for ladies. 

" As the ostrich because of its great speed cannot 
easily be taken in the chase, the natives have to re- 
sort to strategy. The hunter scrapes a hole in the 
sand near the nest : in this hole he carefullv hides 
himself, and when the bird comes to deposit the 
eggs kills it with poisoned arrows. The nest is 
simply a little scraping in the sand ; and when the 
eggs are laid, the parents pay little or no attention 
to them after burying them in the sand, leaving the 
sun to do the work of hatching. Job, in the chapter 
from which we have already quoted, refers to this 
habit : ' Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and 
warmeth them in the dust. And forgetteth that the 
foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may 
break them. She is hardened against her young 
ones, as though they were not hers.' 

" The egg of the ostrich is a curiosity. It is often 
five or six inches in length and will weigh three 
pounds, and has a great value to the poor Africans. 
Its contents furnish a delicious meal, and its empty 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 349 

shell becomes one of their most useful utensils. With 
a small hole in one end several are strung together, 
and are used by the women for carrying water or 
holding milk or other liquids. Divided, they are 
made to serve as cup and spoons, and for several 
other purposes ; hence, as the ostrich lays a large 
number of eggs, the discovery of a nest is to the 
poor native a very joyful event. 

" In Australia the Emeu takes the place of the 
ostrich. It is smaller in size, and has not the swift- 
ness of foot of the African bird. 

" The New World is not without its member of 
the Cursor family, the South American Rhea. This 
species inhabits the borders of the river La Plata 
and the adjacent plains. It is a swift-footed, shy 
bird, but easily becomes confused w r hen hunted, and 
then is readily destroyed by the natives. The bird 
is wholly covered by a rich mass of darkish-gray or 
black plumes, which have some value, but are not 
equal to those of the ostrich. 

" This bird, like the ostrich, scoops a hole in the 
sand, and lays from twenty to twenty-five eggs, but 
differs from its African relative in incubating its 
own eggs instead of leaving that parental duty to 
the sun. As an article of food both the eggs and 
the birds are much sought after. 

"But we have once more reached the limit of the 

30 



350 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

time which we have allowed to these interviews, and 
must leave the Cursores to run on as they will. 

" Before dismissing you this afternoon I think it 
proper to say," continued Miss Truat, "that two 
more special lessons will, finish the course which I 
have marked out, as they will carry us through the 
orders of birds. In the pleasant hours we have 
devoted to these beautiful creatures we have not 
attempted to notice every bird known in the differ- 
ent classes, not even those with which we are famil- 
iar. Our object has been rather to present a few 
of each order, with the more striking characteristics 
which they exhibit, and thus give you a general 
outline of this department of natural history. In 
doing this I have had tw T o objects in view: first — 
and I make the statement frankly — I wanted in some 
way to secure attention until I could convince you 
that I loved you and w r ished to do you good. In 
this purpose I think I can say I have not been dis- 
appointed. My second aim was to give you pleas- 
ant and useful instruction in a department which 
has ever had special charms for me, hoping to infuse 
into your minds something of the enthusiasm which 
I have felt for the beautiful birds and a love and 
reverence for him who made them for our admira- 
tion. In this respect also, I trust, I have not been 
wholly unsuccessful. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 351 

"Let me say, further, that in closing this special 
series I do not propose to cease from my efforts to 
please and instruct you, but shall continue to devote 
occasional hours to some kindred topics which will 
give us equal pleasure am] information. 

44 In our two final lessons I shall have some very 
handsome drawings to show you, and the habits of 
the birds we shall notice will be of equal interest to 
any which we have already described. Perhaps I 
ought to say id this connection that my personal 
interest in these things has been much increased by 
the amount of real information which I have re- 
ceived from poor Jim Lee respecting some of the 
birds that we shall notice. Simple as you may 
regard him in other things, God has wonderfully 
endowed him with a love for the birds and ability 
to understand their habits ; and though I have spent 
my whole life in studying their peculiarities, both in 
books and in nature, I am not ashamed to confess 
that Jim has been to me a valuable instructor. God 
chooses sometimes the weak things of this world to 
confound the wise. I have thought that I had con- 
siderable bird wisdom, but I have so repeatedly been 
wn to be completely mistaken by Jim's superior 
wisdom that I begin to feel that my pretensions 
q] 1 be quite moderated. I make these state- 
ments, my dear young friend-, to guard you against 



352 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

lightly esteeming any creature that God has made. 
If he has seen fit to deny to any an even balance 
of faculties, he may have so quickened one of his 
powers as to place the person in a position which 
commands our respect. # 

" But I need not detain you longer on this topic, 
for I have with pleasure observed the kind manner 
in which you hold intercourse with Jim in connec- 
tion with the Sunday-school. You are beginning to 
learn what a kindly spirit he is, and that, though 
slow and dull, yet there is a spark which begins to 
kindle and glow. My father is very hopeful of his 
progress, and I have no more pleasant task than to 
use my feeble powers to blow the spark and see it 
brighten under the process. And now good-bye." 



CHAPTER XXL 

HEEOXS, STOEKS, PLOVERS, STILTS, AXD 
FLAMINGOES. 

IMMEDIATELY after the last bird lesson it was 
noticed that something mysterious was on hand 
among the pupils of Miss Truat's school ; and, as 
formerly, David was evidently at the head of the 
movement. There were frequent earnest consulta- 
tions in out-of-the-way corners and stealthy visits to 
the woods. Even Jim Lee was seen to be confede- 
rate in the plot, whatever it might be. Could it be 
possible that, after all, the spirit of rebellion in the 
young Arabs had only been checked, not subdued, 
and that it was about to break out again? What- 
ever the purpose was, it was carefully concealed, and 
we shall have to let events reveal the intent of all 
this plotting and secresy. 

"Again ready for the hour's gratification, " Miss 
Truat said. "At our last interview we bade good- 
bye to the Scratchers, with their short, strong legs 
and claws, and to-day we naturally pass to the Gralr 
latoreSf with their long slim legs and partially webbed 
feet. Birds of this order are distinguished by hav- 
:.o • X 353 



354 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

ing legs adapted to their peculiar habits of life as 
dwellers around streams of water, and largely living 
on w T hat these produce. They are naturally divided 
into two classes — those that are mostly found wading 
in the shallows and those which. are seen running 
along the shores, and hence called 'shore birds.' 

" Of the first class, the largest, and perhaps the 
best known to us, is the Great Blue Heron, or Crane, 
as it is more generally called in the country. These 
large birds are not numerous, but sufficiently so to 
give every mill-pond or small lake a specimen or 
two, by which means we are made familiar with 
their appearance and habits. This heron is rather 
awkward in both form and movements, whether 
wading the shore or on the wing, and particularly 
so when making efforts to rise into the air. His 
long, ungainly legs are brought into the required 
line with the body with considerable effort, and the 
neck correspondingly stretched out, to be thrown 
back on the shoulders when fairly on the wing. 
The wings at this time have a rapid, strained move- 
ment ; but when fully soaring, the strokes are slow 
and not ungraceful. There is nothing very attract- 
ive in the rather dull plumage of this bird, relieved 
somewhat by the not inelegant crest feathers. Its 
favorite position is standing in the shallow water on 
the borders of some reedy pond or shore, watching 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 355 

for stray fish, which it seizes with unerring aim and 
swallows with one effort, even when of large size. It 
is also very fond of frogs, tadpoles, meadow-mice, 
snakes, and large insects. The nests are placed on 
high trees in the midst of some dense thicket of 
evergreens on the borders of a swamp or some sheet 
of water, and are generally found in groups of a 
half dozen or more. They are rude structures, made 
of twigs and sticks very loosely put together. The 
eggs are four, of good size, and bluish-green color. 
The young when first hatched are exceedingly odd- 
looking little fellows, seeming as though they had 
just found their bones and were looking around for 
something to cover them with. 

"The Green Heron, or Fly-np-the-creeh, as you 
boys usually call it, is a smaller and more beautiful 
bird, but in other respects does not differ materially 
from the last-named variety. 

"The Snowy Heron is an attractive bird, being 
pure white, with a fine crest and a graceful tuft 
hanging from the breast. Its haunts are the salt 
meadows all along our coasts, with only an occa- 
sional visit to the nearer inland waters. 

" With us the herons are not over-numerous, 
but in some places in Europe they gather in such 
numbers as almost to compare with our pigeon- 
roosts. In the days of hawking those heronries were 



356 



BOYS AND BIEDS. 



protected with great care, for they were the princi- 
pal bird sought after in this field sport, but, like our 
pigeons, the race is rapidly decreasing. 

" The Stork, though often met with in Europe in 




Fig. 9S.— Stork. 

the milder seasons of the year, is a native of the 
East, where it still flourishes. It is much like the 
white herons, except in the largely-increased bill 
and some black w T ing feathers, as you will observe 
in my painting. (Fig. 98.) This bird is of a very 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 357 

mild disposition, and takes readily to the habitations 
of man. It manifests a speeial love for old de- 
serted temples and church steeples. In these places 
they can be constantly met with as the curious trav- 
eler is exploring the ruins of past greatness. In 
many of the Eastern cities they are met with in the 
streets and around the quays, as familiar as are the 
buzzards in the cities of the South. 

" Perhaps the most noted of the stork family are 
those known as the Adjutant and the Maraboy,. The 
first received its name from a disposition to strut 
about military parade-grounds. It is a large, un- 
gainly bird, with an enormous bill, capable, it is 
said, of swallowing a full-grown cat, or even a leg of 
mutton. It has also a curious appendage attached 
to the lower part of the neck which can be distended 
into a large sack. The adjutant is quite as useful 
to the inhabitants of the East as are the buzzards to 
the cities of the South. It loves carrion, and be- 
comes a useful scavenger in removing dead carcasses 
and other offal ; but it has an excellent qualification 
which our buzzards do not possess : it is a diligent 
destroyer of snakes and other vermin, not sparing 
even the venomous kinds. When gorged, it will 
stand for hours alternately on each leg, dozing, the 
very embodiment of indolence. 

" The Marabou (Fig. 99) is a similar bird, but 



358 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 




~\^ 



Fig. 99. — Marabou. 



lacks the pouch attachment on the throat, and is 
distinguished for furnishing the valuable ' marabou 
feathers,' so highly prized as ornaments. 

"A bird of this class which I now show you is 
called the Sacred Ibis, and was worshiped by the 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 359 

ancient Egyptians as one of their gods. Our own 
country can boast of possessing one of the hand- 
somest of this variety of birds, the Scarlet Ibis, 
though it must be confessed that it is rarely seen, 
and perhaps only when on a short visit from the 
neighboring West India Islands. The White Ibis 
is a permanent resident in Florida, and in warm 
weather some of the species have ventured to pay 
short visits even as far north as New Jersey. 

" But in our reference to this variety of birds we 
must not pass the odd yet attractive Roseate Spoon- 
bill. Its range is near the Gulf of Mexico, where it 
inhabits the canebrakes and bayous. The shape of 
the bill gives it a name ; that member is more odd 
than graceful ; but in other respects the bird has 
great attractions. The color is a deep roseate scar- 
let, beautifully varied as the light strikes it at dif- 
ferent angles. To add to its beauty, the bird has a 
habit of standing with the wings partly extended. 
It mainly lives on watersnails, crawfish, and shrimps, 
which it scoops up very readily with its broad, 
spoon-shaped bill. 

" But leaving these larger birds, our attention is 
arrested by a class that seem to be made up of oddi- 
ties, for they appear as though some little bodies had 
by mistake taken the long legs of some other in order 
to run away, and then find themselves so elevated that 



360 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



they are afraid to stretch their stolen members to 
their full length, and so remain half bent. 

" This Stilt Plover (Fig. 100) will illustrate my 
remark. What a small body, poorly balanced on 




FIG. 100.— SlUt Plover. 



excessively long legs! They seem too slim and 
weak to sustain even the small weight they have to 
carry, and the bird stands half stooping and trem- 
bling, which is the real condition exhibited by it 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 361 

especially when alighting after a short flight. It 
stands for some time balancing itself before it can 
get well on its legs. 

u The stilt has feet quite fully webbed, and can 
swim with ease, though generally preferring to wade 
in the shallows rather than to venture into deep water. 
The body of this bird is nearly white, with wings 
and a narrow portion of the back approaching black- 
ish-green. 

" The Sand Pipers are much like the stilts, though 
with legs somewhat shortened. They are found all 
along our coasts in great numbers, and are noted for 
their restless, nervous activity. We have a dozen or 
more varieties of these sand pipers, as they are espe- 
cially numerous along the shores of New Jersey and 
Maryland, where they arrive early in May. The 
salt marshes bordering these states are chosen breed- 
ing-places and feeding-grounds. When the tide is 
out, these active little birds will be seen in troops 
busily catching stray shrimps and sand-flies, keeping 
but a few steps in advance of the strollers who may 
be watching them. But they seem to know when 
the gunning— eas< m has arrived, and then keep at a 
more respectful distance. 

" Of the Shore-birds with which we are most famil- 
iar, perhaps the Kill-deer Plover is the best known 
by those residing away from the ocean, and it may 
31 



362 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



be taken as a type of the plover family in color and 
form. It is found around all our ponds and swamps, 
where it runs fitfully along, crying, hill-deer, kill-deer, 
accompanied by a peculiar jerking motion of the tail 
when pausing for a moment, which it does every few 
rods. The nest is in some slight hollow near the 
bank or among the tussocks of grass, and is oddly 
made up of pebbles, bits of shells, sticks, and straw — 
anything that can be most readily scraped together. 
The eggs are four, creamy-yellow, with abundant 
blotching. (Plate III., Fig. 5.) 

" The Upland Plover (Fig. 101) is much like the 
kill-deer in appearance, but differs in preferring the 

pastures and 



uplands to the 
moist shores. 
The eggs of 
this species 
are also larger 
and lighter in 
color. (Plate 
II., Fig. 4.) 

" In Eng- 
land they have 
a small species 
of this family 
called the Dot- 




Fig. 101. — Upland Plover. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



363 



feral Plover (Fig. 102), winch has become a by-word 
for stupidity. It is described as wanting in the activ- 
ity and Bpright- 



JL> 




Fia. 102.— DotUral Placer. 



linesa of the 
rest of the spe- 
cies, and to call a 
man a 'dotteral 5 
is a reflection on 
his good sense. 

•The old 
mother country 
has one other 
variety which, 
both in its beau- 
ty of plumage and attractive habits, will more than 
make up for the shortcomings of the poor dotte- 
ral — that is, the handsome Lap-wings or Pewits. 
(Fig. 103.) The colors of these birds are bright 
and well distributed. The top of the head, with its 
tall crest, is black, the sides of the face and neck 
white, speckled with dark-brown or black, chin and 
throat jetty-black running up to the eyes, the upper 
part of the body is coppery-green shaded with pur- 
ple, while the tail coverts are chestnut, the full tail 
being black and white, and the under parts of this 
latter color. 

"These birds have a very pretty habit when on 



364 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



the wing of making graceful circuits in the air, all 
the while uttering their cry of Wee-whit! wee- 
whit ! 

" The nest of the lap-wing is made in a small de- 
pression, the eggs being of a peculiar shape, large at 




Fig. 103. — Lay-wings. 

one end and almost sharp at the other, and the bird 
has a curious habit of arranging them in the nest 
with the sharp ends touching, thus forming a cross. 
If disturbed during the sitting, the mother-bird has 
the trick of feigned lameness to draw the intruder 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 365 

from her nest The eggs of the lap-wing are much 
sought after as an article of diet. 

u The Woodcock is distinguished from the plovers 
by the greater length of bill and some difference in 
shape and plume markings. It is a shy bird, inhab- 
iting low meadows and grassy swamp borders, where 
the nest is placed in some tuft of bulrushes or 
clump of reeds. Three or four creamy-drab eggs 
are laid, thickly speckled. Through the help of 
Jim Lee I have a fine specimen to show you. (Plate 
III., Fig. 9.) 

" The Snipe can be distinguished from the wood- 
cock only by one skilled in the marks of these birds, 
yet they have some well-defined characteristics. In 
their manner of feeding they are peculiar, using 
their long bills to probe the holes of insects and the 
muddy bottoms from which they draw the concealed 
tit-bits. The family is a very extensive one, all of 
the varieties being highly prized as gamebirds, and 
as eagerly sought after as the woodcock. 

"Among the best of these birds Wilsons Snipe 
may be named. This bird forms a nest of grass 
and leaves hidden away in some bog very difficult 
to find. The e^^ are much like the kill-deer plo- 
ver's. (Plate III., Fig. 4.) 

"The interesting birds called Rails belong to the 
waders. These birds come and go from our marshes 

31* 



366 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

and* bays in a mysterious manner, for no one sees 
them on their migrations. When the reeds and salt 
meadows have reached a good growth, the rails 
make their sudden appearance, or rather make 
themselves heard, as it is seldom that we get a sight 
of one, though they may be heard near at hand. 
They are of a plain ashy-dun color, so near the 
complexion of the mud and reeds among which they 
conceal themselves that it is only when ' flushed ' by 
pushing a boat during high tide into their hiding- 
places that they can be seen for a moment, and then 
the sportsman must be quick, or his game is hidden 
again. The people along the shores generally call 
them Mud Hens, and seek their eggs with great zeal 
as an excellent article of food. (Plate III., Fig. 2.) 

" But now we come to the last of the waders which 
we shall notice ; and though last, it is by no means 
least, either in height or beauty of plumage. I men- 
tion it in this order, because its full webbed feet nat- 
urally grade it into the last order of birds, the Sivim- 
mers, with which some writers have really classed 
the bird ; but its long legs and custom of wading 
rather than swimming entitle it rather to the place 
we assign it — a link between the two orders. Here 
is a fine drawing of the bird I mean, the Scarlet Fla- 
mingo, (Fig. 104.) You will see that the legs and 
neck are much longer than those of other waders ; and 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



367 



when both are stretched fully out, the bird is four 
or five feet high. The bill is a curiosity, broad, 
bright yellow, and bent like a scraper, admirably 
serving the bird in digging up the muddy and sandy 









Fig. 101 — Scarlet Flamingo, 



bottom where it finds its favorite food. The color 
of the flamingo is a I) right scarlet, except some of 
the wing feathers, forming a narrow border of black. 
The nest of tli is bird has ever been held as a great 



368 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

curiosity. From the length of the flamingo's legs it 
will be seen how difficult it would be to gather them 
up into a nest. In any case they would project far 
beyond the body of the bird. But the instincts of 
the bird are sufficient for the emergency. A tall 
mound is built up of mud and other materials, reach- 
ing two or three feet in height, in the top of which 
is scooped out the nest. Here the bird sits astride, 
with one or both feet in the water which always sur- 
rounds the nest. 

"Except during the hatching season, the flamin- 
goes congregate in small flocks ; and when thus as- 
sociated, whether standing or flying, they present a 
very attractive spectacle. It was my good fortune 
once to enjoy a rare opportunity for observing them 
in both positions. Some years ago, while making a 
canoe-voyage down the Red River during the last of 
November, just after we had made an early morning 
start, we came to a long, bare sand-beach extending 
for some miles. This we found densely crowded 
with various kinds of water-fowls, seemingly resting 
here for a night while on their southward migration. 
There were thousands of ducks, geese, brant, herons, 
and white swans, extending down the beach as far 
as the eye could see. Far down the line, and in 
bold relief to a group of white swans, we saw a rank 
towering far above all the rest and gorgeously out- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 3G9 

vicing tli em in the glow of scarlet uniforms. At 
first we were at a loss to make out what this splen- 
did wonder was, but a nearer view showed a flock 
of scarlet flamingoes, and we let our canoes float 
gently down that we might enjoy the grand exhibi- 
tion. While thus engaged, some hunters made an 
onslaught on the mass, which immediately took 
wing at the first crack of firearms. These millions 
of birds crossed the river directly over our heads, 
literally darkening the heavens, while the rush and 
roar of their wings were like the coming of a tor- 
nado, with a deafening and frightful accompaniment 
of squalls and cries of alarm. It was one of the 
grandest sights I ever beheld, and I would not have 
missed it for a mint of money. In all that grand 
cloud of frightened birds the flamingoes soared 
away as the most splendid part of the exhibition, 
glowing amid that dark array of dusky wings like a 
sunburst through a storm-cloud. 

" The flamingoes are found most numerously in 
Florida, especially at its southern extremity, called 
the Keys, from which they make excursions as the 
warmth of the weather in other portions of the South 
may invite them from their native everglades. 

"Having now approached the last order of birds 
by the natural divisional steps, we will defer our in- 
vestigation into its characteristics until our next and 

Y 



370 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

last conversation in this special course, which will 
be held some time next week ; and so for this after- 
noon you are dismissed." 

" Well, Jake," said David when once in the street, 
" wasn't Miss Truat's arrangement just what we 
w T anted ? By next week we can have all our plans 
fixed up nicely." 

"That's so, chum," was the reply; "she couldn't 
have suited us better if she'd tried. But now we 
must hurry up the boys and girls, and make hay 
while the sun shines." 

No word in this short colloquy indicated what 
those projected plans implied, any further than to 
show that something out of the usual way was in 
contemplation, but whether it meant peace or war 
developments must prove. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE SECRET OUT— SWANS, GEESE, BUCKS, 
GULLS, ETC. 

"T3Y a careful indirect way the leaders in the 
•U secret movement learned when Miss Truat in- 
tended to give her last study of birds, and it was at 
once apparent that something was to culminate on 
that particular day, which happened to be Thurs- 
day. Everything went on as usual until after the 
dismissal of the school on "Wednesday afternoon, 
when it was observed that the elder scholars of both 
sexes lingered near the schoolhouse until Miss Truat 
passed out of sight, when David stepped forward 
and said : 

" Xow, boys, let us take our coats off and get our 
things here as soon as possible while the girls sweep 
out the schoolhouse and get it ready." 

In obedience to this direction, there was a general 
rush to a neighboring barn, where Jim Lee was 
noticed standing, who immediately threw the great 
doors wide open. When this was done, the eager 
crowd began to draw forth baskets of moss, tufts of 

371 



372 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

grass, ropes of ground pine and evergreens, branches 
of trees in which the nests of birds were yet remain- 
ing undisturbed. While this was going on David 
and his lieutenants were more carefully removing 
some well-preserved birds, which had been prepared 
by observing Miss Truat's instructions, and also a 
rich selection of the eggs of the different birds in the 
collection. Several live birds were also brought out, 
nicely arranged in wicker cages of their own make, 
among them a very handsome red bird. Two cages 
of squirrels added to the completeness of the list, 
one containing a beautiful pair of flying squirrels. 
Jim followed up the rest, lugging a section of a 
mossy log which had been the favorite drumming- 
place of a fine tufted grouse that had been nicely 
prepared to occupy his usual place. In a short 
time materials enough of this character were brought 
to the schoolhouse to form a large collection, and 
the next step was to arrange them properly so as to 
make the best display. The large platform which 
Miss Truat usually occupied was cleared of every- 
thing save her chair and desk, and here they began 
to dispose of their gathered materials. On the floor 
were spread the moss leaves and tussocks of grass 
containing small nests in their natural positions. 
A rock or a piece of old log was laid here and there, 
with nests appropriately adjusted. Jim's big log with 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 373 

the tufted grouse mounted on top, his wings widely 
extended as in the act of drumming, was placed in 
the background. Then with the limbs, branches of 
evergreens, and ropes of ground pine a large and 
handsome alcove was constructed, with nests jutting 
out here and there or left half concealed, according 
to the habits of the bird to whom they originally 
belonged. In nearly all the nests the proper number 
of eggs were deposited or the mother-bird placed on 
it in a natural position. So busy were the young 
operators that the structure was nearly completed 
before the approach of darkness compelled them to 
desist. When morning returned, the work was re- 
sumed, and it was then seen that Deacon Meachem 
had entered into the plot also, and was aiding with 
counsel and contributions, for he brought with him 
two beautiful canaries and a handsome motto on a 
blue ground. With his assistance the w T hole thing 
was completed, and presented a splendid appearance. 
After taking a good look, to see that all was right, 
the deacon left, to reappear at another hour. 

The collection was really beautiful. It contained 
one or more of nearly every bird known in the neigh- 
borhood, with their nests and eggs placed as nearly 
in the actual conditions of life as the altered circum- 
stances would allow. ( lonsplCUOUfl among this group- 
ing was the famous snowy owl which David had 



374 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

snared for his teacher. When all was completed to 
the satisfaction of the young operators, the beautiful 
motto which the deacon had brought was put up just 
over the desk of their teacher ; it read as follows : 

" Conquered by Love, we pay Love's Tribute !" 

The whole design was hardly finished before the 
unsuspecting teacher was seen coming up the path, 
and so the children quietly arranged themselves in 
their places to receive her. Jim alone stood at the 
door to give her the first welcome. When she per- 
ceived him, she said, with some surprise : 

"Why, Jim, are you here? and where are the 
children? Have you frightened them all away?" 

Swaying to and fro after his fashion, he said, with 
a gratified expression : 

" Ho ! ho ! Miss Truat, Jim knows !" 

"Why, Jim," said his friend, with a quizzical 
look, " I think the morning air has had a happy in- 
fluence, you are in such good spirits ;" saying which, 
she passed into the schoolhouse. 

When the door flew open and Miss Truat saw the 
children all so quietly seated, and then caught a 
glimpse of the beautiful preparation for her recep- 
tion, " there was no more spirit in her," and there 
she stood, pale and trembling, for some moments. 
Finally she asked, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 375 

" Children, what does this all mean ?" 

" It means, dear teacher/' responded David, " that, 
as you have been so kind and good to us, we wanted 
to let you know that we loved you in return ; and as 
we had nothing else to give you, we've got these 
things from the woods, because we knew you liked 
them and want you to accept them; and when 
you are done with them here, we want to take them 
to your house and put them up just as they are 
here." 

When David had finished his remarks, Miss Truat 
could not restrain her feelings, but dropped into her 
chair and covered her face to hide her tears. Many 
of the children wept in sympathy with their teacher ; 
but Jim was almost beside himself with joy, turning 
here and there, see-sawing and chattering in the most 
exuberant manner. 

When sufficiently composed, Miss Truat raised her 
head, and addressing her pupils, said : 

" My dear young friends, you have so surprised 
me and made me so happy that I have no language 
adequate to thank you, and you must be satisfied 
when I say that I love you. And if I have given 
you in my past intercourse proof of my interest and 
affection, after such a beautiful expression of your 
regard I should be cold indeed if I did not here- 
after strive to the utmost to convince you that I am 



376 BOYS AXD BIRDS. 

worthy of such a manifestation of your love and 
confidence. As for your splendid gift, I shall ever 
prize it as one of my richest treasures, and shall be 
more than delighted to have it transferred to my 
home and placed among my collection as one of its 
rarest ornaments, not only for its own real worth, but 
as a constant remembrancer of one of my happiest as- 
sociations. But now let us turn to the special duties 
of the day, which have had so happy a beginning/' 

When the proper hour arrived for the final study 
of birds, Miss Truat laid her large and familiar 
portfolio on her table ; and then, taking a survey of 
the beautiful surroundings with which her beloved 
pupils had encompassed her, said : 

" After the happy consummation to which our bird 
studies have in so large a degree served to bring us, 
it is with a painful feeling that I commence the last 
one of the course. These interviews have been so 
very pleasant, and have so intertwined our hearts, 
that I could wish for their longer continuance; but 
we shall have their sweet memories to cherish and 
their lasting friendships to enjoy. This precious 
memento will always be to me a reminder of the 
youthful hearts which I won through the pictures 
and lessons that I have given during our intercourse. 
With these consoling thoughts, let us turn our atten- 
tion to the subject of the hour. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 377 

" The Natatores, or Swimming Birds, are a large 
and peculiar class, including many varieties, but all 
agreeing in special adaptations to life on the water 
and for drawing their sustenance mainly from it. 
They are full-breasted to give them central gravity 
and balance when swimming ; have short strong legs 
and broad webbed feet to furnish propelling force ; 
and are covered with feathers so compacted, oiled, 
and surcharged with electrical attraction as to be 
impervious to water, however long they may remain 
in it. In their wing allotments there is the widest 
variation, extending from the merest rudiments, as 
in the auks and penguins, through the short, broad 
wings of the geese and ducks, the longer and slim- 
mer wings of the gulls, to the matchless and tireless 
wings of the ocean's king, the albatross. In the 
conformations of the bill there is quite as great a 
variety, as seen in the oddly-shaped beak of the puf- 
fins, the long sharp beaks of the scissor-bills and dart- 
ers, and the huge pouched beak of the pelicans. 
The plumage of the swimmers varies greatly, but has 
nothing so attractive as to demand special mention. 

"The Swan (Fig. 105) admittedly stands at the 
head of this order of birds for size, beauty of feath- 
ering, and gracefulness of movements when on the 
water. These birds are found in many parts of 
the world, the most noted of which is the Black 



378 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 




Fig. 105.— The Swan. 



Swan of Australia, but only standing first because 
of its variety of color, since our American and 

Trumpeter Swans 
are equally as at- 
tractive. The 
American variety 
is the one occasion- 
ally seen along our 
coasts, and more 
rarely on our 
larger inland lakes. 
Its neck is long and 
gracefully curved ; and when on the water, it is the 
perfection of ease and beauty in movements. The 
nest is a large heap of grass and weeds, built on 
some little islet or jut of land, if one can be found, 
in which are laid from eight to a dozen large olive- 
green eggs. 

" The trumpeter swan is the variety found abun- 
dantly in the South, and differs but little from the 
one just described. 

"The swans migrate in small squadrons, and 
always assume a definite shape in their flight, a 
straight line or an angle like the letter V placed 
thus > , the point of the angle being in the direc- 
tion of the flight. 

" Swans are easily domesticated, and form a beau- 




Boys and Birds. 



Fig. 107.— The Commodore. 



Page 379. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



379 



tiful adjunct to a pond or lakelet, as they float about 
with so much ease and gracefulness. For this pur- 
pose, and for the soft fleecy feathers they furnish, 
they are much sought after, being nearly valueless 
for food. 

"Of the old familiar goose (Fig. 106) I need say 
little, as you are all acquainted with her looks and 
ways. These birds are 
found of all colors, 
from a pure white 
through all shades of 
gray to nearly black. 
A dark, well-feathered 
gander is not without 
some points of per- 
sonal beauty, as you 

mav See from a draw- Fig. 106 — The Common Goose. 

ing of an old favorite of mine, known about the 
yard as the commodore. (Fig. 107.) 

" The Canada Goose, or Brant, is much like this 
specimen, except that it is always adorned with a 
white patch under the middle of the neck, and is 
wild in its habits, not susceptible of permanent 
domestication. It is this variety that we generally 
see passing over us in the spring in large flocks, 
observing the same order of flight as noticed in the 
habits of the swans. In the case of young goslings 




380 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



and clucks we see the fixedness and power of animal 
instincts. Very often the eggs of the swimmers are 




Fig. 108. — Natural Swimmers. 



placed for hatching under a common hen or turkey, 
both having a wholesome dread of water. But the 
change of motherhood does not alter the instincts 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 381 

and nature of the offspring, for" no sooner does the 
unsuspecting mother lead her young swimmers near 
the water than in they go and have a good time 
(Fig. 108), much to her surprise and perplexity, as 
is seen by her anxious clucking to draw them from 
their watery enjoyment. 

" Of the well-known duck tribe we have more than 
thirty varieties in the United States, varying more or 
less in form, size, color, and habits, but not sufficiently 
to require a special mention of any except the Wood 
Duck, which stands pre-eminent for its beauty and 
its singular habit of perching and nesting on trees. 
Its head and crest are a rich metallic green; the 
cheeks are purplish, bordered with white, which 
runs in front and behind the eyes and down the 
breast ; the back and top of the neck are bronze, 
green, and purple, with various other shades splashed 
here and there. It is a perfect duck in form, and 
has the full webbed feet, which it uses like the other 
members of the family, but it oddly takes to the 
trees like the perchers. Here it will sit for hours 
pluming itself; and when the time for nesting comes, 
it selects some old hollow tree or limb in which to 
form its nest. As the young of the natatores are 
able to leave the nest as soon as hatched, this would 
be rather a dangerous position with wings yet un- 
plumed, but the old birds take good care to prevent 



382 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

any such resultant calamity. When the brood is 
hatched, the old birds take the young ducklings by 
the wing or neck and bear them down to the shore, 
near which the nest is situated, and there nurse them 
among the reeds and grass until they are able to 
take wing for themselves. Most of our ducks are 
migratory, but the wood duck is found with us the 
year round, only leaving the smaller ponds to keep 
near the open water. 

" In the colder seasons vast numbers of ducks are 
seen in the open waters of our bays, and form a 
great point of attraction for our sportsmen, who, 
however, must expect cold fingers and often wet jack- 
ets if they would be successful. 

"The Great Northern Diver, or Loon, as more 
generally called, is a very interesting bird. Its form 
is peculiar, and admirably adapted to its aquatic 
habits. The body is long, heavy-breasted, with the 
legs placed so far back they seem attached to the 
tail. This renders the bird clumsy and awkward 
on land, where it can hardly be said to walk, but 
rather pushes itself along in short jerks somewhat 
after the manner of the seal ; but let it once reach 
the water, and then its special capacities for naviga- 
tion are at once apparent. It can outswim the fish 
in their own element, and captures them at will. 
Indeed, so great is its speed and endurance that it 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 383 

has eluded a boat armed with four strong oarsmen 
for hours together, not permitting it for a single in- 
stant to get near enough for the anxious sportsmen 
to secure a shot. To add to the difficulties of cap- 
turing this bird, it is so shy and active that, when 
once fairly within range of the fowler, at the flash 
of his gun it is under the w T ater before the deadly 
missile can reach it. When once the harmless shot 
has given the alarm, the disappointed gunner may 
wait for hours without seeing the object of his pur- 
suit, for the bird has the ability of sinking its body 
beneath the surface, allowing the bill to project just 
far enough to permit breathing. 

"On one occasion, when visiting the island of 
Mackinaw, the loons were very numerous; and wish- 
ing much to obtain one as a specimen, a half dozen 
of my male friends, most of them good gunners, vol- 
unteered to secure one for me. They formed a 
grand expedition of three canoes, manned by expe- 
rienced Indian rowers, and after a full day's effort 
of the combined forces returned empty-handed. 
This will account for the fact that among the Indi- 
ans it is considered a noble feat to capture a loon, 
whose skin is held to possess great value by reason 
of this circumstance, as well as from its own excel- 
lence as an article of dress and ornament. 

" The plumage of the great diver has much beauty. 



384 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

The head and neck are black, with more or less of 
purple and greenish shading, having a peculiar 
glossy appearance. The back is black, with white 
markings of an arrowy shape thickly scattered from 
neck to shoulders of the wings, and then assuming 
nearly a square form to the roots of the tail. The 
belly is white, with a grayish border meeting the 
darker colors of the back. 

" The nest of the loon is a rude structure made on 
the borders of the water, and generally on some lit- 
tle islet, if one can be found. The eggs are two, or 
at the most three, in number, of a dark olive brown, 
with a few spots of a darker hue. 

"Akin to the loons are the Black- throated and Red- 
throated Divers of Europe, and the Grebes of the 
same locality, the latter birds being often sought by 
sportsmen around the lakes of Switzerland. 

" We must not pass without a few words respect- 
ing a singular bird found in Africa, and also in the 
extreme south of our own country — the Darter, or 
Snake-bird, as it is called from its long, flexible, 
snaky-looking neck. In our country it is found along 
the northern shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and espe- 
cially in all parts of Florida. It loves the thick 
and reedy swamps, its favorite place being some 
old stump in the water or limb projecting over 
it. Here the darter will sit for hours preening 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 385 

himself, with now and then a plunge into the 
water as a finny victim makes its appearance, 
unconscious of the dread enemy on the alert for its 
destruction. 

" The body of the darter is not large, but its neck 
is stretched out into serpentine length, making the 
bird about three feet from the tip of the tail to the 
bill, which is long and extremely sharp. It is a strik- 
ing fact that the darter when plunging into or passing 
through the water makes scarcely more disturbance 
than does an eel. The bird has a habit of conceal- 
ing itself in the thick foliage of the swamps, where 
it will sit and thrust its long neck here and there 
through the leaves in such a manner as to lead 
the observer to believe that a serpent is therein con- 
cealed. 

" The darter is in general of a deep green color, 
with a white stripe down the sides of the neck. 
The wings and tail are black, bordered with silvery 
white. The nest is of sticks, built in trees, and the 
eggs blue. 

"Those who have been up and down our bays or 
made a voyage at sea have noticed what large num- 
bers of birds would be attracted to the vessel, about 
which they will often continue to hover for hours, 
screaming and wheeling around in repeated circles. 
(Fig. 109.) Differing much in size and color, in 
33 Z 



386 



BOYS AND BLRDS. 




Fig. 109.— Sea-birds on the Wing. 

one thing they are remarkably alike — the long and 
slender form of their wings and the slow and grace- 
ful manner in which they use them. If we examine 
the wings of these birds, they reveal a marvel of 



BOYS AXD BIRDS. 387 

adaptation and power. You all know, children, 
that the longer the lever is, the less power it requires 
to lift a given weight. Now, this is the general prin- 
ciple on which the wings of sea-birds are construct 
The wing-arm is comparatively short and strong, 
while the primary feathers of the wing are immensely 
long, and the secondaries, or those near the body, 
correspondingly short. By this nice adaptation it 
is seen that with the exertion of little muscular force 
great wing-power is obtained, enabling the bird to 
make lonsr-sustained flight with little weariness. 
This is sometimes really marvelous, as in the case 
of the albatross, which seems to be always on the 
wing, often being met with thousands of miles out 
at sea, when it will follow vessels for days together 
to pick up the scraps that may be thrown overboard 
by the ship's cook. 

u With wings that spread ten or a dozen feet, so lit- 
tle power is required for flight that the motion of the 
wings is hardly perceptible, except when it wishes to 
check its progress. The albatross is a stupid bird, 
and can be easily taken with a bait thrown over- 
board. It sometimes alights on the deck or ri^ini: 

o ©o o 

the ship, where it will sit half dozing, allowing 
the sailors even to push it around the deck before 
can be aroused. Perhaps this may be caused by a 

little fatigue as well as by stupidity. 



388 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 





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Fig. 110.— .4 Groitjp o/ GttHs. 

" But along our shores are numerous birds of the 
order of swimmers, some of which you will always see 
skimming over the surface of the beautiful Hudson. 
They are the gulls, terns, and kindred varieties. 



BOYS AND BLRD& 389 

"These birds are blacky white, gray, and mixed. 
The gulls and terns differ but little : and as I have 
a picture of a fine group of the former 'Fig. 110\ 
it will give you a better idea of them than any 
words of mine; and here it is, showing some of the 
esres and a nest of young fledglings. In nesting, the 

-birds select some sandy beach or broken shore- 
cliff, and there build their nests in immense colonies, 
so thick that sometimes the eggs will fairly cover 
the ground. As many of these eggs are of good 
size and flavor, they are much sought after by the 
shore people. Here are specimens of the eggs of 
the kittiwake gull, least tern, and Wilson's tern, 
which may be taken as good representatives of the 
class. <Plate III., Figs. 1. 6, and 10.) Along the 
low, sandy coast of New Jersey these eggs are gath- 
ered in large quantities with comparatively little 
trouble, but on bold, rocky shores the work of egg- 
gathering is attended with much danger, often re- 
sulting fatally. 

"I have a picture of a daring feat of a Scotch 
egg-gatherer. (Fig. 111.) In parts of Scotland 
the are exceeding bold and rocky, to which 

irda resort The instance nar- 
rated occurred at a place where the upper r 

ind the eggs could only be reached 
by a rope dropped over the top of the cliff, down 



390 ' BOYS AND BIRDS. 

which the daring hunter must descend with his 
basket strapped to his back until opposite the shelf 
which the birds occupied. But when this was done, 
the adventurer was suspended many feet from the 
place, which could only be reached by swaying him- 
self to and fro until sufficient momentum was gained 
to land him on the desired spot ; once there, the poor 
Scotchman began to fill his basket, holding on to 
his rope with the other hand, but during the excite- 
ment of his great success he forgot his watchfulness, 
and the rope slipped from his grasp and swung out 
many feet from the face of the rock where he was 
standing, leaving the poor man almost petrified with 
astonishment and fear. As he had gone alone, there 
was no one to give warning of his danger or render 
him assistance. To add to his trials, night was fast 
approaching, and to stay there under the drip of 
the rocks, in the chill of the sea air, would be to per- 
ish by degrees. The only chance for escape was in 
some way to reach the rope, but how to do that was 
the difficulty. There was nothing on the rock long 
enough to reach and draw it in, and therefore, if 
secured at all, it must be by the grasp of his own 
hands, and that could only be done by making a 
mighty leap over the yawning gulf to clutch the 
swinging rope. The chances were fearfully against 
him. He might miss the rope entirely, or, if reach- 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 



391 




Fig. 111.— .1 Leap for Life. 



ing it, it whs hardly probable that he could hold it 
fast with the momentum of hia long leap added to 
his own weight But to stay was to die by inches, 



392 BOYS AND BIBBS. 

and to leap he could but perish by a quicker pro- 
cess. Desperation often gives almost superhuman 
strength. Looking to him who is a present help in 
time of trouble, he stepped back as far as possible to 
give momentum, and then with a mighty spring he 
leaped out into the air, and fortunately clutched 




Fig. 112.— TJie Stormy Petrel. 

and held the rope, and was soon safe pn the top of 
the cliff, when his strength failed, and he could only 
lie on the ground and thank God for his wonderful 
deliverance. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 393 

"In the high northern regions, amid the everlast- 
ing snows and ice of the polar shores and landscapes, 
the innumerable Hocks of water-fowls give some 
relief, not only to the awful desolation of the scene, 
but by carrying even there the evidence that God 
can sustain abundant life. His hand is neither 
shortened nor empty where eternal frost and cold 
freeze all currents save those which God warms by 
his heavenly bounty. 

"Around the ice-cliffs and headlands immense 
flocks of geese y ducks, and other sea-fowl gather, 
now settling down, until the whole face of the land- 
scape is covered with the millions, and anon taking 
wing, until the air is darkened with the mighty 
cloud of birds. To the poor scattered Esquimaux 
what a godsend, supplying a need more pressing 
than the Israelites felt when they murmured for 
flesh in the desert. At the season when the birds 
make their visitation these poor Indians gather 
where the roosting-place is made, and for a time lux- 
uriate in plenty. They eat to their fill, and carry 
away immense stores for the coming time of need. 
The few whale-ships and explorers who have reached 
those high northern latitudes have found these bird- 
timely addition to their failing stock of pro- 
visions. They have often captured vast numbers of 
them by standing <>n some projecting point and tak- 



394 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

ing them in nets as they flew past, so plentiful and 
near was their flight. 

" One more of the swimmers must have a moment's 
consideration before we close our lessons — that bird 
of the wonderful wing, the Stormy Petrel, or Mother 
Gary's Chicken. (Fig. 112.) 

"This little bird, whose picture I show you, like 
the great albatross, lives almost entirely on the water, 
coming to land only to breed, or at long intervals 
for a short rest. It is met with far out at sea, where 
it sails easily along, with its feet hanging down, and 
occasionally just touching the tips of the waves, 
never seemingly wearied nor frightened at the wild- 
est dash and roar of the ocean. From some super- 
stitious notion the sailors dislike this little ocean 
wanderer ; but, for my part, when far out at sea I 
always hailed its presence with joy, and its gentle 
but monotonous cry of kee-re-Jcee-Jcee had a peculiar 
sweetness. It reminded me that God had not for- 
gotten me in the midst of tempest tossings and the 
boundless waste of waters. As he sent the sparrows 
to the safe dw T ellers on land to impress them with his 
divine carefulness, and upheld them to show that his 
hand w r as beneath them, so I recognized in the pres- 
ence of this little bird of the ocean the same blessed 
assurances, only more impressively put. My faith 
saw the divine Protector again walking on the water, 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 395 

saving, by the twitter of the little petrel, ' It is I, be 

not afraid " : 

1 Is not God upon the water, 
As well as on the land?' 

"He who could keep the sparrow from falling to 
the ground, also keeps the wing of the petrel tireless, 
and holds it up when the yawning waters swallow 
mighty navies and wreck the hopes of man. More 
than once, when at sea, watching the little petrels, 
did the question of the Saviour come to my mind 
with an impressiveness never felt when on shore: 
'Are ye not better than the fowls?' — a question 
which I trust, in view T of our special study of birds, 
has an emphasis for us all, that may be productive 
of great good if we give it proper heed ; and that it 
may have this happy effect, let us review our lessons 
briefly, and see what great truths have been taught 
us beyond the beauty and attractive habits of the 
creatures we have been studying. 

44 In this review we cannot fail to be impressed 
with the fact that, if any department of natural 
history shows marvelous traces of a divine hand in 
-liaping organs for special conditions and endowing 
with instincts to use them, it is that which comprises 
the birds. These beautiful creatures have more of 
brain in proportion to their size, and exhibit more 
of it.- workings in their habits. They approach 



396 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

nearer the human race in their gifts of song, imita- 
tions of speech, architectural and mechanical accom- 
plishments ; and are really above us in the acuteness 
of some of their senses, and in the wonderful ability 
of navigating the air — a feat which man has only 
been able to imitate clumsily at some great personal 
risk. The birds are often used as a divine text to 
teach us great moral lessons ; and we shall have 
proved ourselves but dull scholars if, after giving 
them so much attention, we have failed to derive the 
improvement intended." 

As Miss Truat concluded this sentence the door of 
the schoolhouse was opened, and in walked the squire, 
followed by a large number of the parents from the 
neighborhood ; even Miss Yost condescended to be 
among the number. This inroad did not seem at all 
to surprise the children, who really knew of the intend- 
ed visitation, as they had invited their parents and 
friends to come and see the treat which they had 
prepared for their teacher. 

The intrusion was so unusual and unexpected 
that Miss Truat was quite abashed, and hardly knew 
what to say — an embarrassment from which the 
squire relieved her by saying : 

" Don't be flustered, Miss Truat ; our little folks 
have told us of the surprise they had prepared for 
you, and w r e have dropped in by their invitation ; 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 397 

and I am very glad we have come, for I've long 
wanted to thank you in behalf of all our citizens for 
your disinterested and successful efforts to reclaim 
our district. Your success has been wonderful, and 
we fed that we have no adequate reward to offer you. 
Not that we suppose anything of this kind is es- 
pecially needed, for the love of these interesting chil- 
dren must be a greater satisfaction than any consid- 
eration we could offer. They certainly have been re- 
deemed in respect to this world ; and the hopeful signs 
in the Sunday-school and at the stated preaching of 
the gospel — for which we are mostly indebted to you 
— give good promise that a richer redemption is not far 
off from many of them, and, it is hoped, many of their 
parents also. 

14 As our school has been irregular/' continued the 
squire, "the amount of funds allowed us by the 
state has not been expended, and we have quite a 
surplus left on hand. Being now fully assured that 
it can be put to good use in furnishing some im- 
portant requisites to make your work more success- 
ful and pleasant, I am instructed by my associate 
trustees to place the money in your hands, Miss 
Truat, to be expended as you may deem for the best 
iota il)'- school. 

" We would most willingly add some token of our 
approbation to you personally did we not feel assured 



398 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

that it would be disagreeable to you, as we know 
that nothing but your noble desire to do good to 
these children led you to assume the responsibilities 
which you have so successfully borne, and your joy 
to-day is a reward greater than w T e can give. 

" Take these funds, and hereafter let us have the 
pleasure of supplying all the means requisite to the 
continued success of your school.' 1 

During this address Miss Truat stood more con- 
fused than ever, except in the tears which plentifully 
flowed down her cheeks. Poor Jim, who had stood 
in a corner observing all that passed, swaying to and 
fro, and who loved his kind mistress above every- 
thing else, became so sympathetic that he could no 
longer restrain himself, and so, with a loud cry, he 
sprang into the open space before the alcove which 
had been erected, and began to shout : 

"Ho! ho! Jim knows, Jim knows, ho! ho!" 
becoming more and more excited and boisterous as 
he proceeded, manifesting something of the old wild- 
ness which he used to exhibit before his careful train- 
ing had commenced. How long the excited Jim 
would have continued his manifestations cannot be 
told, for he kept on until his old father, who had 
come over from the swamps to witness the gala-occa- 
sion, took him by the arm and arrested his exuber- 
ance of joy, and then, turning to Miss Truat, said : 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 399 

" I'm sartin sure, Miss Teacher, that me and my 
ole 'oman has mighty good reasons to be grateful to 
you for your 'tentions and kindness to our poor boy. 
He's had a right slim chance at 'ome, there's no 
denying, and we's much to blame for it too ; and 
abroad he's had rather worse treating. He's been 
thumped and kicked 'bout the whole neighborhood, 
and it was all the while getting worse and worse, 
until you had pity on the poor lad, and now he 
loves you better than any of us. We don't find 
any fault, though we are his parents, for you've done 
more by him than we have, and all we've got to 
say further 'bout the matter is that if you want 
anything in our line, roots or yarbs, baskets or 
splint brooms, you'll be mighty welcome to all 
we've got. And now, Jim," said the father, turning 
to his son, whom he had all the while held by the 
hand, " let us give one good hurrah for the blessed 
teacher who took pity on you and me." 

"Hurrah! hurrah! for the new teacher!" came 
with a will from the strong lungs of the father and 
son ; and then, turning to Miss Truat, with an awk- 
ward bow, he said : 

" Excuse me, miss, but we must show our grati- 
tude for such angeliferous kindness." 

Under different circumstances the whole scene 
would have been extremely ludicrous, but there was 



400 BOYS AND BIEDS. 

such a frank earnestness in the old man's demon- 
stration that all present could fully sympathize with 
the expressions of his joy. 

With a hearty shake of the hand and joyous 
shout of " Ho ! ho ! Jim knows !" the son resumed 
his place in the corner, evidently pleased with his 
part of the performance. 

" Most heartily, Miss Truat," said the squire, again 
addressing her, " do we join in the thanks and con- 
gratulations of Neighbor Lee for the great kind- 
ness you have shown in connection with your father 
to his afflicted son. It has been a benefit and an 
honor to the whole community. ,, 

All this while Miss Truat had stood in painful 
embarrassment, not because she did not fully appre- 
ciate the warm approvals of her efforts, but because 
she was overwhelmed by their excess ; when, there- 
fore, the squire had ended his remarks, she said, 
with a beseeching tone : 

" I will accept all your congratulations, and thank 
you for them too, if you will be assured of my sin- 
cerity when I say that I am grateful beyond expres- 
sion, and will relieve me from my present embar- 
rassment.' ' 

This episode was a signal for a general breaking 
up without any formal dismissal, when all gathered 
around Miss Truat to give a cheering w T ord and a 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 401 

cordial shake of the hand. In this hour of- con- 
gratulations even the naturally acid nature of Miss 
Yost perceptibly got a little sweetness, for she gave 
Miss Truat a hearty shake of the hand, and passed 
a way, saying : 

"Wall, wall, I du say this beats all nater; it's, 
more wonderful than witchcraft. I du b'lieve that 
little woman has made them children all clean over 
agin. Why, just to think! they've scared away lots 
of teachers, and now 7 they love her better than ma- 
ple sugar. Wall, wall, wonders '11 never cease." 

Any one acquainted with the condition of the 
Arab district when the reader was first introduced 
to it, who could have listened to the conversation 
held among them on their way home and during all 
that evening, would probably have concurred in the 
judgment of Miss Yost, that they had all been made 
clean over again. Most assuredly the old leaven 
had been worked out, and the principles of a new 
and higher life were beginning to bear rich fruits in 
testimony to the wisdom and success of Miss Truat's 
mission. 

Z4 • 2A 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

A RETROSPECT. 

"VT EARLY half a century has passed since the 
-L- * events occurred which have been set before the 
reader, and all the prominent actors save one have 
passed away, and now live only in memory. The 
sweeping march of progress has also removed all the 
old landmarks of the Arab district; and now, where 
once its sparse old Dutch houses nestled in its glens 
or under its cliffs, a thriving modern village shows 
its grassy terraces and aristocratic French-roofed 
dwellings. Towering far above these marks of 
-wealth and progress, the voyager up the noble Hud- 
son will notice a tall and tasteful church-spire shoot- 
ing up from near the spot which marks the site of 
the old school where the scenes occurred which have 
held the reader's attention — 

" Within whose bare and cheerless walls 
Were seats for doing penance, 
Which truly mortified the flesh 
Of all its youthful tenants." 

Broad as the contrast may be, the costly and mas- 

402 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 403 

sive temple of to-day is but the outgrowth of the seed 
planted by the weak hand of Miss Truat, and is one 
of the important and lasting results of her faithful 
and loving mission. From this standpoint let the 
reader now turn back for a few moments and take 
up the thread of events where it was dropped at the 
termination of the last chapter. 

For about two years Miss Truat continued her 
connection with the school which she had so success- 
fully reclaimed, and until the reformation and pro- 
gress were so thorough as to make it safe to entrust 
it to other hands. After this she found abundant 
opportunities for the exercise of her enlarged Chris- 
tian zeal and benevolence in the more direct work 
of fostering the advancement of the little church 
which had sprung out of the Sunday-school and ser- 
vices which she had been instrumental in starting. 
According to the prediction of the squire recited in 
the last chapter, the signs of promise were soon hap- 
pily realized in an extensive work of grace, which 
included as its subjects many of the citizens of the 
vicinity and a very large number of the older pupils 
of the school, among whom were conspicuous the 
three noted leaders of the former confederation of 
young Arabs. The devoted Christian woman lived 
to see gathered in many precious fruits of her work 
of faith and labor of love, and then passed to her 



404 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

reward, leaving behind a memory fragrant with 
every Christian virtue. Her name was a household 
word to the next generation ; and they with willing 
hearts and liberal hands erected a handsome monu- 
ment to pass down to coming thousands the record 
of her noble deeds. 

During many a winter evening, while waiting for 
the apple to toast, the corn to parch, or the chestnut to 
roast, the stories of the old Arab confederation were 
rehearsed by the gray-headed sires who were once its 
young and active members. It cannot be denied 
that there was evidently a little spice of enjoy- 
ment yet lingering when the story was told of the 
grim giant who entered upon the conflict with all 
the armor of the pedagogue, and who was ignobly 
beaten with his own weapons ; and of the young 
dandy who was tumbled with his sweetheart into the 
mud-puddle. But whatever manifestation of the 
latent Arab spirit might crop out in these chronicles 
of the bygone conflicts, so soon as the name of Miss 
Truat was uttered the voice assumed a tender tone 
and the narrative became fragrant with affectionate 
memories. Her bird stories were rehearsed, the won- 
ders of her pictures exalted, her stuffed birds praised 
as being natural as life ; and the wonderful training 
of Jim Lee and his sad end were household tradi- 
tions in every habitation in the neighborhood. Nor 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 405 

were the living descendants of the feathered inhab- 
itants of the region left without an inheritance of 
good from the faithful ministrations of the sainted 
teacher. Their bodies and nests were safer from 
harm by reason of her teachings repeated in the ears 
of the children of her pupils. It might have been 
a relic of the superstition of the bygone days when 
Miss Yost and her cronies flourished, or perhaps a 
little happy deception of the imagination, but many 
of the older folks still strenuously insist that the 
birds always gather thickest around Miss Truat's 
grave, and sing sweeter when there assembled, as 
though they were conscious that they were chanting 
the requiem of their departed and dearest friend. 
The fact of this large assemblage of feathered choris- 
ters near the reposing ashes of the departed bird- 
lover may perhaps be accounted for from the cir- 
cumstance that some of the whilom pupils of the 
deceased, out of respect for her memory and love for 
the pets she so much admired, had erected a number 
of bird-houses to win their stay, and very often also, 
especially in the winter season, fed them on the 
sacred spot. And thus the birds had learned in 
fact to associate her grave with a generous benefac- 
tion which might in truth be traced back to her as 
begetting the impulse of its bestowal. Thus it may 
be no stretch of imagination, no straining of meta- 



406 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

phor, to say that among the birds the u memory of 
the just is blessed." 

The fate of poor Jim Lee was a sad one, yet it 
gave a most striking proof that, though the head 
might be weak, the heart was strong in noble affec- 
tions. Under the kind treatment of Doctor Truat 
and his daughter Jim made gratifying progress in 
mind and manners. His face lost most of its blank 
expression, and he " sat clothed and in his right mind," 
which, though but feebly quickened, was nevertheless 
sufficiently developed to discharge the ordinary duties 
of life. He had acquired ability enough to read sim- 
ple books such as interest children of six or eight 
years of age, but had utterly failed to grasp the idea 
of the relation of numbers. That two and two make 
four was to him a fact which he could not master. In 
this matter he could go no farther than sight would 
lead him. In matters of usefulness the doctor felt 
himself amply repaid for any attention or expense 
bestowed on his singular patient. 

Some time early in June of the second year of 
Jim's residence in Doctor Truat's family he was 
mysteriously absent — a fact made important by his 
uniform habit of staying around home with great 
pertinacity. After a day's anxiety about him, Doc- 
tor Truat began to search for the cause of his unac- 
countable stay, and made his first inquiries at the 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 407 

home of his parents, but they knew nothing of his 
whereabouts, nor had they seen him since the time 
when he was first missed. This but increased the 
perplexity of his foster friends, and led to special 
efforts by rousing the neighbors for a general search. 
But after three days of care and anxiety no traces 
were found of the missing one, and most came to the 
conclusion that Jim had taken a notion to see more 
of the world, and had likely wandered off or stepped 
on board a chance boat, and was now somewhere in 
the great city of New York. Miss Truat, however, 
was convinced that some calamity had overtaken 
poor Jim, or he certainly would have returned home; 
and hence she was in great distress, and offered a 
large reward for finding him. Late in the night of 
the third day, when all the searchers had desisted 
from their fruitless efforts, a man engaged in spear- 
ing fish by torchlight on the small lake in the vicin- 
ity was startled by hearing at intervals a most dis- 
mal and singular outcry. Listening more care- 
fully, he could recognize the voice to be human, but 
seemingly exercised without reason, as though the 
mind was weak or wandering. Approaching nearer, 
he could finally distinguish the utterances, and 
found them to be a medley of incongruities, spoken 
with mingled outcries as though in pain or dis- 
fcrea 



408 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

" See-saw, dickery daw," would be drawled out, 
and then the speaker would seemingly stop and 
correct himself, saying, " Ho, ho ! Jim knows !" and 
then would immediately repeat, 

" The Lamb on Calvary, 
The Lamb who died for me, 
Hallelujah to the Lamb !" 

followed by, " Ho ! ho ! Jim knows !" as though ap- 
proving the last sentiment. 

These facts at once revealed the character of the 
unseen talker. It w r as the lost Jim Lee. Making 
his way to the point from whence the voice seemed 
to come, the fisherman found himself standing on 
the borders of a well-known quaking bog of several 
rods in extent, covered with reeds and tall grass, 
across which was a large clump of cedars where a 
number of herons had formed their nests. When 
standing there, the voice was heard coming from 
near the middle of the bog in the direction of the 
cedars ; and by carefully threading his way, he ap- 
proached so near that he could distinguish, as well 
as the dim moonlight would allow, the form of poor 
Jim sunken to his armpits hi the bog, and nothing 
but his great outstretched arms preventing him from 
being wholly swallowed up. Near him was a large 
heron's nest which he had evidently got from the 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 409 

clump of cedars, and he had broken through the 
thin covering of moss peat on his attempted return. 
Galling to Jim, his voice was at once recognized, for 
the poor sufferer responded by saying, "Ho, ho! 
Jim's a-cold, Jim's a-cold I" 

A careful survey of the situation showed that to 
attempt to draw poor Jim from his terrible situation, 
without some firmer foundation to stand on than the 
thin, shaky crust of the bog, would only be to in- 
volve himself in the same calamity, and so with 
painful reluctance the kind-hearted fisherman had 
to leave the poor sufferer unaided until he could 
gain assistance. Giving a few words of encourage- 
ment, which, however, Jim seemed hardly to compre- 
hend, he made all haste to obtain the needed help. 
It was just at the break of day when he returned, 
attended by three of the neighbors, with the neces- 
sary planks and ropes for Jim's rescue. This was 
soon accomplished. When finally drawn to the firm 
bank, Jim was found to be utterly chilled and ex- 
hausted, and the great strong man lay weak and 
helpless as a child. He was laid upon the bank, 
and what remained of his muddy clothes removed ; 
then he was rubbed and stimulants administered, 
but the currents of life had become too stagnated 
for reaction. His grateful expressions showed how 
much he appreciated the kindness and sympathy of 



410 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

the friends around him, yet he kept his eyes wander- 
ing about as though he missed something. Suppos- 
ing at first that it was the nest found beside him in 
the bog, it was brought, at the sight of which he 
smiled faintly and motioned them to place it at his 
side, murmuring, "Jim knows." But it was soon 
evident that this was not the thing which seemed to 
be wanting. Often he repeated his favorite rhyme : 

" The Lamb on Calvary, 
The Lamb who died for me," 

at times coupled with the pronoun " She, she. Jim 
knows ;" but none of the listeners seemed to get the 
idea couched in these words. 

As soon as Jim had been found word was sent to 
his parents and Dr. Truat, and the doctor and his 
daughter repaired immediately to the place of the 
disaster. The sight of poor Jim was inexpressibly 
painful to them both. At the time when they arrived 
he lay with eyes half closed, his breathing long and 
stertorous, his brow clammy with the cold sweat of 
death. AVhen Miss Truat fully comprehended that 
Jim had fatally periled his life in order to do her a 
service, she was almost distracted with grief. In her 
anguish she knelt by his side, took his cold hand 
and caressed it tenderly, saying : 

11 Oh, poor Jim ! poor Jim ! you have lost your 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 411 

life to please me, and I fear I have come too late to 
make you understand how much I bless you for 
your kindness, and the great pain I feel for your sad 
accident." 

As she spoke these words the eyes of the dying 
man opened with a brightness beyond their natural 
expression, and with a look of clear intelligence 
gazed into the face of his weeping friend, then, half 
standing up, Jim lifted the nest and placed it in the 
hands of Miss Truat, saying : 

"Ho! ho! Jim got it, Jim got it.'' 

" Oh yes," was the tearful reply ; " you got it, Jim, 
but why did you venture into that dreadful place? 
Would that you had never seen the nest, and that 
I had never taught you that I prize such things !" 

While saying these words, Miss Truat had pressed 
the cold hand of the dying one to her lips and 
sobbed in anguish of spirit, Jim gave back a gen- 
tle pressure, and with a smile on his countenance 
began to sing in a low tone: 

"The Lamb on Calvary, 
The Lamb who died for me. 
Hallelujah to the Lamb!" 

Pausing a moment, he raised his hand, pointed up- 
ward, and murmured, "Jim knows," sunk back, 
gave one long sigh, and poor Jim Lee had passed 



412 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

from the dullness of earth to the quickening of 
eternity. 

This retrospect will not be complete without a 
reference to the subsequent history of three other 
characters with whom the reader has been holding 
intercourse. 

David Overocker was led to choose the occupation 
of his father, but did not quite fulfill the parental 
prediction that he would " sail in the same boat ;" 
for instead of being only master of a small North 
River sloop carrying cobble-stones to New York, 
David, after pursuing a careful course of study, both 
in the theory and practice of navigation, became 
captain of one of the finest sailing-packets that ever 
left the harbor of New York. His ship was ever 
noted for the good order, sobriety, and skill of its 
officers and crew, and the speed of its voyages. 
After following his chosen profession until he had 
secured a full competence, he returned to his native 
village, built one of its finest mansions, in which he 
passed the later years of life, well known for his high 
Christian principles and large benevolence. It is 
but a few years since Captain David Overocker 
went to his reward on high to meet the sainted 
teacher who won him from the ways of evil, and 
whose memory he always cherished with the most 
abiding affection. 



BOYS AND BIRDS. 413 

About twenty years after the opening of Miss Tru- 
at's school, a passer through the growing village would 
observe, on the door of a wing of one of the handsom- 
est residences, the name of Staughton Chivers, M. D. 
This fact will indicate the line of life and measure 
of prosperity attending the second leader of the 
former malcontents of the district school. Doctor 
Chivers was long and well known for his professional 
skill and the prominent part which he took in the 
political affairs of his native state, having repeat- 
edly represented his district in the state legislature. 
Nor was his influence as an active Christian any less 
than that of his life-long friend Captain Overocker, 
who preceded him to the better land only a few 
months. 

Young Chivers, after pursuing the necessary pre- 
paratory studies, entered the office of his kind friend 
Doctor Truat, and the warm friendship between 
him and the daughter which began in the district 
school grew and strengthened through life, and her 
praises were always pleasant themes to dwell upon. 

A single glance at Dr. Chivers' office would dis- 
close the fact that he had cherished a warm interest 
in the branch of natural history which had been 
used to win him from the ways of idleness and igno- 
rance. Across one side of his office a handsome 
glass case was extended, within which was tastefully 
35* 



414 BOYS AND BIRDS. 

arranged an extensive collection of home and for- 
eign birds. Among these it was evident that a few 
specimens were more than usually prized by their 
possessor, for they were kept with extraordinary 
care. Not belonging to the more rare and beautiful 
birds, the cause of their cherished value was doubt- 
less owing to the fact disclosed on the label, where 
could be read not only the name and proper classifi- 
cation, but this additional sentence: "Once in the 
collection of Miss Eveline Truat." 

The last and only living prominent actor in the 
scenes depicted in the foregoing pages is the Rev. 
Jacob Van Gilder, now nearing his threescore and 
ten, yet still hale and hearty, and actively engaged 
in the duties of his sacred calling, in which he has 
acted a successful and leading part. In view of 
the facts set before the reader, it will be easy to 
account for the names heard in the household of the 
Van Gilders, where Eveline, David, and Staughton 
are borne by living monuments, which recall the 
memories of the past and the dear departed ones 
who gave to the life of the venerable and reverend 
father much of its past shapings and its holy inspi- 
rations for the future. 

And thus, dear reader, you have the history of 
Boys and Birds; or Miss Truat's Mission. 



